Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes

Yunus Emre Büyükbasmacı

doi:10.32706/tusbid.1831147

TR EN

Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool to assess narcissistic personality levels among athletes. Narcissism is characterized by an individual’s admiration and attachment to their own physical or mental attributes, and individuals with high levels of these traits may demonstrate distinct patterns of behavior in sports contexts. The scale development process began with a comprehensive literature review and an examination of narcissistic tendencies observed in athletes. An initial pool of 28 items was generated, which was later refined through expert evaluations involving two sports psychology academicians and one linguistics specialist. As a result, one item was revised, and two items were removed due to content similarity. A pilot study conducted with 12 athletes confirmed the clarity and comprehensibility of the remaining items, allowing the process to continue with 26 items. Data was collected from amateur athletes in Beykoz, Istanbul, using a purposive sampling method. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses demonstrated a three-factor structure—physical, cognitive, and behavioral—comprising 22 final items. Reliability analyses indicated acceptable Cronbach’s alpha values for each subdimension and for the overall scale. The findings show that the developed scale is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating narcissistic characteristics in athletes.

Keywords

Athletes, narcissism, narcissistic personality, scale development, sport

Supporting Institution

This study received no specific financial support from any public, commercial, or non-profit funding agencies.

Ethical Statement

This study has been approved by the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University Social and Human Sciences with decision number 13-2024/282.

Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool to assess narcissistic personality levels among athletes. Narcissism is characterized by an individual’s admiration and attachment to their own physical or mental attributes, and individuals with high levels of these traits may demonstrate distinct patterns of behavior in sports contexts. The scale development process began with a comprehensive literature review and an examination of narcissistic tendencies observed in athletes. An initial pool of 28 items was generated, which was later refined through expert evaluations involving two sports psychology academicians and one linguistics specialist. As a result, one item was revised, and two items were removed due to content similarity. A pilot study conducted with 12 athletes confirmed the clarity and comprehensibility of the remaining items, allowing the process to continue with 26 items. Data was collected from amateur athletes in Beykoz, Istanbul, using a purposive sampling method. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses demonstrated a three-factor structure—physical, cognitive, and behavioral—comprising 22 final items. Reliability analyses indicated acceptable Cronbach’s alpha values for each subdimension and for the overall scale. The findings show that the developed scale is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating narcissistic characteristics in athletes.

Keywords

Athletes, narcissism, narcissistic personality, scale development, sport

Supporting Institution

This study received no specific financial support from any public, commercial, or non-profit funding agencies.

Ethical Statement

This study has been approved by the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University Social and Human Sciences with decision number 13-2024/282.

References

Akhtar, S. (1989). Narcissistic personality disorder: Descriptive features and differential diagnosis. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 12(3), 505–529. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0193-953X(18)30411-8
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). DSM-IV tanı ölçütleri başvuru el kitabı (E. Köroğlu, Çev.). Hekimler Yayın Birliği.
Bentler, P. M., & Bonett, D. G. (1980). Significance tests and goodness of fit in the analysis of covariance structures. Psychological Bulletin, 88(3), 588–606. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.88.3.588
Boateng, G. O., et al. (2018). Best practices for developing and validating scales for health, social, and behavioral research: A primer. Frontiers in Public Health, 6, Article 149. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00149
Bollen, K. A. (1989). Structural equations with latent variables. Wiley.
Brown, T. A. (2015). Confirmatory factor analysis for applied research (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1993). Alternative ways of assessing model fit. In K. A. Bollen & J. S. Long (Eds.), Testing structural equation models (pp. 136–162). Sage.
Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2009). Sosyal bilimler için veri analizi el kitabı: İstatistik, araştırma deseni, SPSS uygulamaları ve yorum. Pegem Yayınları.
Byrne, B. M. (2016). Structural equation modeling with AMOS: Basic concepts, applications, and programming (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315757421
Coelho, P. (2018). Simyacı. Can Yayınları.

Costello, A. B., & Osborne, J. W. (2005). Best practices in exploratory factor analysis: Four recommendations for getting the most from your analysis. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 10(7), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.7275/jyj1-4868
DeVellis, R. F. (2017). Scale development: Theory and applications (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Doğaner, İ. (1996). Narsisistik kişilik bozukluğu: Tarihçe, tanı ve ayırıcı tanı. Ege Psikiyatri Sürekli Yayınları, 1(3), 341–352.
Fabrigar, L. R., & Wegener, D. T. (2012). Exploratory factor analysis. Oxford University Press.
Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
George, D., & Mallery, P. (2019). IBM SPSS Statistics 26 step by step: A simple guide and reference (16th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429056765
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Pearson.
Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118
Hutcheson, G. D., & Sofroniou, N. (1999). The multivariate social scientist: Introductory statistics using generalized linear models. Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9780857028075
Jöreskog, K. G., & Sörbom, D. (1993). LISREL 8: Structural equation modeling with the SIMPLIS command language. Scientific Software International.
Kaiser, H. F. (1974). An index of factorial simplicity. Psychometrika, 39(1), 31–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02291575
Kalaycı, Ş. (2018). SPSS uygulamalı çok değişkenli istatistik teknikleri. Asil Yayıncılık.
Karaaziz, M., & Atak, İ. E. (2013). Narsisizm ve narsisizmle ilgili araştırmalar üzerine bir gözden geçirme. Nesne Psikoloji Dergisi, 1(2), 44–59. https://doi.org/10.7816/nesne-01-02-03
Karadağ, H., Karataş, Ö., Doğar, Y., Ilkim, M., Yavuz, C., Çelik, T., & Aydemir, A. (2024). Quality of life gains for special athletes in the Turkish athletics championship: A study on parent perspectives (2023). Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 33(1), 412–425.
Kernberg, O. (1985). Borderline conditions and pathological narcissism. Jason Aronson.
Kline, R. B. (2016). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (4th ed.). Guilford Press. 27. Kohut, H. (1971). The analysis of the self. International University Press.
MacCallum, R. C., Widaman, K. F., Zhang, S., & Hong, S. (1999). Sample size in factor analysis. Psychological Methods, 4(1), 84–99. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.4.1.84
Nicholls, J. G. (1989). The competitive ethos and democratic education. Harvard University Press.
Özkan, S., Çoban Kumbalı, H., & İrmiş, A. (2024). Beyaz yakalılarda duygusal zekâ ve narsisizm ilişkisi. İş ve İnsan Dergisi, 11(1), 43–59. https://doi.org/10.18394/iid.1429411
Özmen, E. (2006). Kendini tanıma rehberi. Sistem Yayıncılık.
Roberts, G. C., Treasure, D. C., & Conroy, D. E. (2007). Understanding the dynamics of motivation in sport and physical activity. In G. Tenenbaum & R. C. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook of sport psychology (3rd ed., pp. 3–30). Wiley.
Rozenblatt, S. (2002). In defence of self: The relationship of self-esteem and narcissism to aggressive behavior [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Long Island University.
Rubio, D. M., Berg-Weger, M., Tebb, S. S., Lee, E. S., & Rauch, S. (2003). Objectifying content validity: Conducting a content validity study in social work research. Social Work Research, 27(2), 94–104. https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/27.2.94
Sayar, K. (2003). Benlik: O yakın soru, o uzak ülke. Kapı Yayınları.
Schermelleh-Engel, K., Moosbrugger, H., & Müller, H. (2003). Evaluating the fit of structural equation models: Tests of significance and descriptive goodness-of-fit measures. Methods of Psychological Research, 8(2), 23–74.
Schumacker, R. E., & Lomax, R. G. (2016). A beginner's guide to structural equation modeling (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315749105
Sedikides, C., & Gregg, A. P. (2008). Self-enhancement: Food for thought. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(2), 102–116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00068.x
Stevens, J. P. (2002). Applied multivariate statistics for the social sciences (4th ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410604491
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2014). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd
Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2010). Asrın vebası: Narsisizm illetî. Kaknüs Yayıncılık.
Ural, A., & Kılıç, İ. (2011). Bilimsel araştırma süreci ve SPSS ile veri analizi. Detay Yayıncılık.
Wallace, H. M., & Baumeister, R. F. (2002). The performance of narcissists rises and falls with perceived opportunity for glory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(5), 819–834. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.5.819
Worthington, R. L., & Whittaker, T. A. (2006). Scale development research: A content analysis and recommendations for best practices. The Counseling Psychologist, 34(6), 806–838. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000006288127
Zamanzadeh, V., Ghahramanian, A., Rassouli, M., Abbaszadeh, A., Alavi-Majd, H., & Nikanfar, A. R. (2015). Design and implementation content validity study: Development of an instrument for measuring patient-centered communication. Journal of Caring Sciences, 4(2), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.15171/jcs.2015.017

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Science and Exercise (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Yunus Emre Büyükbasmacı ^*
0000-0003-1090-3273
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 31, 2026

Submission Date

November 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 16, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32706/tusbid.1831147

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA73WF36TH

APA

Büyükbasmacı, Y. E. (2026). Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes. Turkish Journal of Sports Science, 10(2), 81-94. https://doi.org/10.32706/tusbid.1831147

AMA

1.Büyükbasmacı YE. Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes. Turkish Journal of Sports Science. 2026;10(2):81-94. doi:10.32706/tusbid.1831147

Chicago

Büyükbasmacı, Yunus Emre. 2026. “Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes”. Turkish Journal of Sports Science 10 (2): 81-94. https://doi.org/10.32706/tusbid.1831147.

EndNote

Büyükbasmacı YE (July 1, 2026) Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes. Turkish Journal of Sports Science 10 2 81–94.

IEEE

[1]Y. E. Büyükbasmacı, “Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes”, Turkish Journal of Sports Science, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 81–94, July 2026, doi: 10.32706/tusbid.1831147.

ISNAD

Büyükbasmacı, Yunus Emre. “Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes”. Turkish Journal of Sports Science 10/2 (July 1, 2026): 81-94. https://doi.org/10.32706/tusbid.1831147.

JAMA

1.Büyükbasmacı YE. Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes. Turkish Journal of Sports Science. 2026;10:81–94.

MLA

Büyükbasmacı, Yunus Emre. “Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes”. Turkish Journal of Sports Science, vol. 10, no. 2, July 2026, pp. 81-94, doi:10.32706/tusbid.1831147.

Vancouver

1.Yunus Emre Büyükbasmacı. Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes. Turkish Journal of Sports Science. 2026 Jul. 1;10(2):81-94. doi:10.32706/tusbid.1831147

Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

Development of a Scale for Determining Narcissistic Personality Levels in Athletes

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite