Structural Validity of the Communal Narcissism Inventory (CNI): The Bifactor Model

Abstract

The current report presents the factor structure analysis for the Communal Narcissism Inventory (CNI). The bi-factor model assuming one general factor and two residual factors (present-focused and future-focused communal narcissism) was examined across two student samples originating from Poland (N = 831) and the UK (N = 304) and compared to one-factor and two-factor solutions. Results supported the bifactor solution for the CNI, with one strong general factor and two weaker residual factors, as well as an indicated difference in the strength of correlations with external variables (self-esteem, agentic narcissism and psychological entitlement) for present and future communal narcissism. The obtained bifactor solution showed partial scalar invariance across two national samples, suggesting full replication of findings in two different cultural contexts. The implications of the bifactor model of communal narcissism for research practice is discussed in terms of both structural equation modelling and multiple regression analyses