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Research is increasingly converging on a dimensional model of personality pathology, although there is not yet broad consensus on the form this model will take. One dimensional model of personality pathology that reflects the rich history of psychodynamic thought is that of malignant self-regard (MSR), a dimension that proponents suggest underlies many forms of personality pathology. Indeed, research suggests that MSR is associated with a number of vulnerable forms of personality pathology, although its link to more basic personality science is less well established. Perhaps the most common and well validated model of basic personality is that of the Big Five traits, which research suggests are strongly associated with numerous forms of personality pathology including MSR. Another aspect of personality independent of Big Five traits is mindset, the belief that one can change one's intrapersonal attributes with effort. Although there is increasing research suggesting the mindset influences personality pathology over and above Big Five traits, there is little research demonstrating this for MSR specifically. In this study, we examined the relative effects of Big Five traits and mindset on MSR using a Bayesian approach to multiple linear regression. We found that Neuroticism is the primary predictor of MSR but mindset about personality (i.e., the belief that one can change one's personality with effort) has an incremental influence over and above Neuroticism and other Big Five traits. These findings contribute to the growing research base on MSR and have implications for future psychodynamically oriented research and clinical intervention.