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(XIYK) JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE OF KAZAKHSTAN (E-ISSN 2313-1519)
Original Article DOI: 10.23950/1812-2892-JCMK-00776
Examining the relationship between narcissism and Machiavellianism levels in students receiving health education
Mehmet Salih Yildirim1, Metin Yildiz2, Guray Okyar3
'Vocational School of Health Services, Igdir University School of Health, Igdir, Turkey department of Nursing, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University School of Health, Agri, Turkey Department of Urology, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University School of Health, Agri, Turkey
Received: 2020-05-06. Accepted: 2020-07-14
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
J Clin Med Kaz 2020; 5(59):15-19
Corresponding author: Metin Yildiz.
E-mail: [email protected]; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0122-5677
Abstract
Objective: This research was conducted to examine the relationship between narcissism and Machiavellianism levels in students receiving health education.
Material and methods: This research, which is planned as a descriptive-correlational type, was carried out between March-April 2020 from students who received health education at Igdir University and Agri Ibrahim Cecen University.
Results: According to the findings obtained from the study, the total score average of the Narcissism Personality Inventory of the students was 5.353±2.70. The total score average of Machiavellianism Scale was 53.029±6.53. In addition, it was found that there is a positive statistically significant relationship between the Narcissism Personality Inventory total score and the Machiavellianism Scale total score.
Conclusion: It was found that the narcissistic level of the students receiving health education is at medium level and the machiavellist level is low. It is recommended to apply this study to students studying in different professions.
Key words: Machiavellianism, narcissism, student
Introduction
Narcissism, in general, means that the individual has an extreme loyalty and appreciation to his own spiritual and physical self or identity and individual cannot empathize [1,2]. In narcissistic personality disorder, the object is not something that a person does or produces, the object is something the person has for example, his body, appearance, health, wealth, etc. are such situations. The illness of this kind of narcissism is because there is no controlling element. The sick narcissist who thinks, "If I am" big "because of a qualification that I have, but not because of something I have achieved, then I do not have to deal with anyone, anything, and make no effort" so he cannot limit himself. He is buried more and more in his self-conceit and starts to isolate himself from everyone [3,4].
Narcissism is necessary to sustain life, but narcissism can be dangerous for life [5]. The normal narcissistic object is a product that the individual creates with his own efforts, the individual can feel a narcissistic pride with the product (art, invention or vegetable-fruit) he has created by his profession. Since this object emerges through
his own efforts, his interest in this success is constantly balanced with his interest in the work process and his materials. Creativity in the character of many narcissists can be explained by this process. Since the size results are positive, it can be accepted to a certain extent [6,7]. Another factor that may be associated with narcissism is Machiavellianism. Ugkun et al. found that there is a positive relationship between narcissistic admiration and Machiavellian behavior, the narcissistic personality affected the Machiavellian behavior [8]. Machiavellianism characterizes emotionally disconnected relationships, an interpersonal manipulative style, the desire to exploit others [9]. Machiavellianism is an unethical set of behaviors that have a guiding effect on others to achieve their intended goals. In the basis of Machiavellianism, it can be said that individuals do not have traditional moral understanding [10,11]. For those who embrace Machiavellian thought, whatever the pain it can inflict on people, the aims legitimize the means [11]. In the literature review, Aydogan et al. found that narcissism did not differ by gender; it differed by according to demographic variables related to age, marital status and working time
[12]. They found that the level of Machiavellianism did not differ at all according to demographic variables, and that there was a positive relationship between the narcissistic personality and the Machiavellian personality. Studies on health personnel in the international area have been found and it has been carried out due to the limited number of studies on students who have received health education and have not yet started their career. This research was carried out to reveal the relationship between Narcissist personality and Machiavellianism in students with health education, to determine the machiavellist and narcissist mindset of the students who will enter the working life in the future. Since these two thinking structures are more difficult to change in business life, this research was carried out to determine the interventions to be made earlier in the business life.
Material and methods Study design
This research, which is planned as a descriptive-correlational type, was conducted between March-April 2020 from students who received health education at Igdir University and Agn Ibrahim Qegen University. The target population of the study consisted of students who received health education at Igdir University and Agn ibrahim Qegen University. The sample of the study consisted of individuals who accepted to participate in the study from students who received health education at Igdir University and Agn ibrahim Qegen University.
Data collection
Data were collected using Personal Information Form, Narcissistic Personality Inventory and Mach IV Scale. After explaining the purpose of the research and obtaining verbal permission from those who voluntarily accepted to participate in the research, the data were collected online from the groups where students were made public announcements with the Google form prepared by the researchers.
Data collection tools
1. Personal Information Form: It consists of questions created by researchers and containing students' introductory features.
2. Narcissistic Personality Inventory: The original form of the scale was developed by Ames et al. In 2006 with 16 items
[13]. Adaptation to Turkish was done by Atay (2009). There are 6 factors in the Turkish version of the scale, exhibitionism, superiority, domination, demand, exploitation and self-sufficiency. The reliability value of the scale is 0,652 [14]. In our study, Cronbach Alpha value was found to be 0.60.
3. Mach IV Scale: The "Mach-IV" scale, developed by Christie and Geis (1970) to determine the level of Machiavellianism, was built on the characteristic features of effective manipulators parallel to the views proposed by Niccolo Machiavelli. In fact, these two authors have developed a group of phrases derived directly from Machiavelli's writings [15]. A Table containing the original expressions in this group of 71 expressions was included and was defined as "Mach-I" scale by the researchers. These 71 predetermined statements were later grouped as "Machiavellian" and "Non-Machiavellian". These grouped expressions are called the "Mach-II" scale. The "Mach-IV" scale, which has been arranged 71 expressions and reduced to 20 expressions that are thought to represent the best of Machiavellianism. The version of the expressions before the analysis was completed was defined as "Mach-III". The
Mach-IV scale measures persuasive and guiding beliefs that help individuals achieve their personal goals [16]. 10 of the 20 expressions created as a 5-point Likert type scale (1: Strongly Disagree 2: Disagree 3: Undecided 4: Agree 5: Strongly Agree) are Machiavellist (supporting the views of Niccolo Machiavelli) and 10 are non-Machiavellian (not supporting the views of Niccolo Machiavelli). The Machiavellian ones consist of the expressions Niccolo Machiavelli uses in his own works or arranged to give the same meaning, and the non-Machiavellian ones consist of expressions created by Christie and Geis (1970). The higher the average scores of individuals obtained from the survey, this shows that they tend to be Machiavellian. In the literature, the high scale score is generally considered as an undesirable situation in social terms [17]. In their research, Mandaci (2007) found the Cronbach a value of the Mach IV scale to be 0.77 [16]. In our study, Cronbach Alpha value was found to be 0.87.
Analysis of data
The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package programme. Descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests were used to in the analysis of data.
Ethical principles
Ethical approval was obtained from Agn ibrahim Qegen University Scientific Research Ethics Committee and written permission was obtained from the institutions where the study would be conducted. Verbal permission was obtained from those who wanted to participate in the research by making necessary explanations to the individuals included in the research.
Results
58.5% of individuals participating in the study are citizens of Turkey, 64.4% are female, 60.4% study at associate degree, 57.5% are in the second class, 50.2% are less than the expense of income, 74.4% don't know foreign languages, and the group the average age was found to be 21.06 ± 2.69 (Table 1).
Summary of studies: outcomes, measures, and results
Variables n %
Nationality Turkey Azerbaijan 235 167 58.5 41.5
Gender Male 143 35.6
Female 259 64.4
Education Level Associate degree 243 60.4
Degree 159 39.6
Grade 1. Grade 111 27.6
2. Grade 231 57.5
3. Grade 28 7.0
4. Grade 32 8.0
Income Rate Income more than expenses 31 7.7
Income equal to expenses 169 42.0
Income less than expenses 202 50.2
Foreign Language Knowledge Yes 103 25.6
No 299 74.4
Age ±SD 21.06 ± 2.69
(min. 18, max. 55)
Narcissism Personality Inventory mean score was found to be statistically significantly higher in Azerbaijan nationals, men, associate degree students, those with higher income and foreign language speakers (p<0.05). There was no difference between the groups in terms of the Narcissism Personality Inventory score average and the class they were studying (p>0.05) (Table 2).
was 1 and the highest score was 13. It was determined that the average score of the students' Narcissism Personality Inventory was moderate. The total score average of the Machiavellian Scale was found to be 53.029±6.53 and the lowest score was 34 and the highest score was 78. It was determined that the average score of the students' Machiavellian Scale was low (Table 4).
Comparison of Students' Demographic Characteristics and Narcissism Personality Inventory Scores
Narcissism Personality Inventory and Machiavellianism Scale Total Point Averages
Variables n Mean ± SS Statistic
Nationality Turkey 235 4.902±2.50 U=15488.50
Azerbaijan 167 5.988±2.84 P=0.000
Gender Male 143 5.979±2.88 U=14962.50
Female 259 5.007±2.53 P= 0.001
Education Associate degree 243 5.711±2.71 U=15567.50
Level Degree 159 4.805±2.58 P=0.001
Grade 1. Grade 111 5.063±2.34 x2 KW=6.867
2. Grade 231 5.493±2.78 P= 0.076
3. Grade 28 4.500±3.00
4. Grade 32 6.093±2.82
Income Income more than 31 5.871±2.59 x2 KW=7.342
Rate expenses
Income equal to 169 4.934±2.67 P= 0.025
expenses
Income less than 202 5.623±2.70
expenses
Foreign Yes 103 5.873±2.88 U=13361.50
Language No 299 5.173±2.61 P=0.044
Narcissism Machiavellianism
Mean ± SS
5.353±2.70
53.029±6.53
Min- Max
1.00-13.00
34.00-78.00
It was found that there is a positive statistically significant relationship between total score of Narcissism Personality Inventory and total score of Machiavellianism Scale (p<0.05) (Table 5).
The Relationship Between Average Scores of Narcissism Personality Inventory and the Machiavellianism Scale
Machiavellian Total Point Average
Narcissism Total
Average
r p
0.146 0.003
Score
Knowledge
The Machiavellianism Scale mean score was found statistically significantly higher in women (p<0.05). There was no difference between the Machiavellian Scale score average and the groups in terms of nationality, level of education, grade, income rate and foreign language knowledge (p>0.05) (Table 3).
Comparison of Students' Demographic Characteristics and Machiavellianism Level Scores
Variables n Mean ± SS Statistic
Nationality Turkey 235 52.838±6.074 U=18791.00
Azerbaijan 167 53.299±7.146 P=0.468
Gender Male 143 54.125±6.78 U=15805.50
Female 259 52.424±6.32 P= 0.015
Education Associate degree 243 53.456±6.86 U=17608.50
Level Degree 159 52.377±5.96 P=0.133
Grade 1. Grade 111 53.369±5.79 x2 KW=2.666
2. Grade 231 53.229±6.97 P= 0.446
3. Grade 28 51.107±6.36
4. Grade 32 52.093±5.73
Income Income more than 31 54.451±6.63 x2 KW=1.649
Rate expenses
Income equal to 169 52.645±6.33 P= 0.438
expenses
Income less than 202 53.133±6.68
expenses
Foreign Yes 103 52.970±6.01 U=15321.00
Language No 299 53.050±6.71 P=0.939
Knowledge
According to the findings obtained from the study, it was found that the total score average of the students' Narcissism Personality Inventory was 5.353±2.70 and the lowest score
Discussion
The effect of personality traits on person's attitudes and behaviors has attracted the attention of researchers for a long time. Despite the fact that personality traits such as narcissism and Machiavellianism have been studied a lot recently in the international arena, the number of studies in our country is very low [18-21]. The number of people with narcissistic personality and Machiavellian behavior is becoming more and more widespread in our society, and the number of people who are self-loving, arrogant, who think they are special and do not take into account the feelings and thoughts of other people around them also increases in higher education institutions [22,23]. In this context, it is aimed to examine the Narcissism and Machiavellianism levels of Turkish and Azerbaijani students who receive health education.
In our study, the total score average of Narcissism Personality Inventory was found to be medium. The result of the research is similar to the literature [24].
According to the findings obtained from the study, the average score of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory was found to be statistically significantly higher in students whose nationality is Azerbaijan (p<0.05). When the literature is examined, there is no similar study. It is believed that the Azerbaijanis are more narcissistic due to the feeling that they are cared too much and much loved by the Turkish nation and hospitality for people of different nationalities of citizens in Turkey.
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory score mean was statistically significantly higher in male students (p<0.05). In the studies carried out, similarly it was concluded that men exhibit more narcissistic personality than women [25,26].
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory score average was
found to be statistically significantly higher in students whose education level is associate degree (p<0.05). The higher average score in the group with lower education level indicates that this group is more narcissistic. The result of the work of Karaku§ Q. is similar to our findings [27].
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory score average was found to be statistically significantly higher in students who speak a foreign language (p<0.05). When the literature is examined, there is no similar study. This suggests that students who speak foreign languages are more narcissistic due to the feeling that they are more cared for by society. Narcissism Personality Inventory score mean was found to be statistically significantly higher in those with higher than income (p<0.05). In the study of Cai et al., the level of narcissism was found higher in people with high economic level [28].
The Machiavellianism Scale score mean was statistically significantly higher in male students (p<0.05). Similarly, it was found in the studies conducted that the level of Machiavellianism of women is higher than that of men [29,30].
In our study, the average score for Machiavellianism Scale was found to be low. The result of the research is similar to the literature [31].
It was found that there is a positive statistically significant relationship between the total score of Narcissism Personality Inventory and the Machiavellianism Scale. Similar results were
found in the studies conducted [8,32]. It can be said that as the narcissistic personality level of students increases in higher education institutions, the Machiavellian personality level increases.
Conclusion
The narcissistic levels of the students receiving health education were found to be medium and the Machiavellian levels were low. Individuals with narcissist and Machiavellian personality structure may cause unrest in the business environment, increase inefficiency, and decrease in job satisfaction. Since it is more difficult to change the Machiavellian and narcissist mindset of the students who will enter the business life in the future, it is recommended that this research be carried out before starting the business life in students who are educated in different occupational groups. In addition, it is thought that it is appropriate to examine the subjects like queen bee syndrome, mobbing and glass ceiling with both concepts or separately.
Disclosures: There is no conflict of interest for all authors.
Acknowledgements:
Funding:
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