Cross-Cultural Comparison of Five-Factor Narcissism Inventories Between Brazil and the United States

Narcissism, which includes both adaptive and maladaptive traits, varies across cultural contexts, such as individualistic (e.g., the United States) and collectivist (e.g., Brazil) societies. This study examines the measurement invariance of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (FFNI) between the Brazilian Portuguese and the US versions. A sample of 1,218 participants was assessed using both the long (148 items) and super short (15 items) versions of the FFNI. Results indicated strong reliability and good model fit for both versions. Cross-cultural analyses revealed a lack of full structural equivalence and suggested cultural differences in item interpretation. These findings support the FFNI’s validity for use with Brazilian samples while highlighting cultural nuances in how narcissism is expressed and measured. The study underscores the importance of considering cultural perspectives when assessing narcissistic traits.