Clustering Daily Expressions of Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism

Abstract

Introduction: Both variable- and person-centered approaches identify grandiose and vulnerable themes in pathological narcissism (PN). However, person-centered results rely on cross-sectional data, preventing identification of subtypes of individuals through transitory self-states. Methods: We perform a cluster analysis on the joint trajectory of daily ratings of grandiose narcissism (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN), collected during a 28-day experience sampling (N = 196 participants). Results: The best partition—identified by multiple criteria—includes three clusters: a “low PN” cluster displays below-average levels of both daily GN and VN; a “high VN” cluster displays average daily GN and above-average levels of daily VN; a “high GN” cluster shows above-average levels of daily GN and below-average levels of daily VN. Significant inter-cluster differences emerge on both daily and trait measures of narcissism, and on trait measures of self-esteem and shame, but less sharply on impairment in personality structure. There is no inter-cluster difference on the variability and instability of daily narcissism. Discussion: We conclude that the constructs of daily GN and VN define corresponding groups of individuals with either high GN or VN, the latter group being more distressed. Yet, this group is also less “pure” in its narcissistic characterization, showing at least some levels of trait and state GN.

Narcissistic personality disorder in the ICD‐11: Severity and trait profiles of grandiosity and vulnerability

“…While negative affectivity was virtually unanimously identified in the vulnerable narcissism vignette (94%), detachment was also regularly endorsed (72%) indicating this may also be a relevant trait. The grandiose narcissism vignette was predominately marked by trait dissociality (91%) but not the vulnerable vignette (12%), which is interesting to consider as interpersonal dysfunction is a salient feature of pathological narcissism (Cheek et al, 2018) with evidence of trait antagonism being present irrespective of subtype expression (Di Sarno et al, 2023). As such it may be that the depressive elements of the vulnerable presentation overshadowed the antagonistic ones in clinician initial ratings.…”