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Published in: Journal of Family Violence 5/2023

19-08-2022 | Anxiety | Original Article

Narcissism and Intimate Partner Violence Using Information and Communication Technology in Japan

Authors: Midori Takezawa, Megumi Matsui, Naoki Kawasaki

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 5/2023

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Abstract

Purpose

Marital violence and violence by non-marital partners are serious problems in Japan, and an increased incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV) using information and communication technology has been observed. Narcissism is a risk factor for IPV and is correlated with aggressive behavior in ego-threatening situations. Narcissism appears in two main types, namely, grandiose and vulnerable, which differ in the expression of aggressive behavior. This study examined anxious ego threat regarding the possible failure of a dating relationship and investigated whether the two types of narcissism lead to cyber dating abuse (CDA) in this type of ego-threat situation.

Method

We conducted an internet questionnaire survey of 603 unmarried Japanese people (71% female, 29% male) aged 15 to 29 who had a dating partner.

Results

In men, when relationship anxiety was high, grandiose narcissism predicted CDA, such as direct aggression to annoy or hurt the partner and intrusive behaviors, such as persistent messaging to track the partner. Grandiose narcissism was not associated with aggressive behavior toward a dating partner in the absence of anxiety concerning the dating relationship. Vulnerable narcissism was not associated with aggressive behavior toward a dating partner, regardless of the presence or absence of anxiety concerning the dating relationship. In women, no association was found between CDA and narcissism.

Conclusion

In considering narcissism as a risk factor for CDA, it is insufficient to examine the relationship between narcissism and CDA. Both types of narcissism and threat to self-evaluation must be examined.
Appendix
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Footnotes
1
The subscale of the CDA victimization scale consisting of intrusive and persistent behaviors, such as sending large numbers of messages to grasp the behavior of the dating partner, was termed persistent messaging by Takezawa & Matsui (2018). In this study, we called the same actions “invasive behavior” rather than “persistent messaging” because we believe that this phrase better characterized the behavior.
 
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Metadata
Title
Narcissism and Intimate Partner Violence Using Information and Communication Technology in Japan
Authors
Midori Takezawa
Megumi Matsui
Naoki Kawasaki
Publication date
19-08-2022
Publisher
Springer US
Keyword
Anxiety
Published in
Journal of Family Violence / Issue 5/2023
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-022-00426-1

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