Pathological narcissism: An analysis of interpersonal dysfunction within intimate relationships

Abstract

Pathological narcissism is marked by deficits in psychosocial functioning. Difficulties in relationships include instances of aggression, devaluation and control; however, few studies have examined these relationships from the perspective of partners and family members. We studied participants who were in relationships with relatives high in narcissistic traits (N = 436; current romantic partners [57.3%]; former romantic partners [21.1%]; family members [15.4%]). Participant responses were analysed thematically, and their underlying mental health problems were also measured. Thematic analysis of participant responses indicated themes of abuse from the relative with narcissism (physical, verbal, emotional and sexual) as well as the relative imposing challenging financial and sexual behaviours. There were complex interpersonal themes of mutual idealization but also devaluation. In response, participants reported high levels of anxiety, depression, self‐aggression, sickness and somatic concerns. Further, participants expressed overt outward hostility towards their relative with narcissism, but also dependency strivings and frustrated dependency themes. Partners and their relative with narcissism appeared locked into interpersonal and intrapersonal dynamic conflicts. Clinical implications include specific attendance to alliance issues, dependency themes, and a focus on limit setting to establish personal safety.

“It’s not you, it’s me”: identity disturbance as the main contributor to interpersonal problems in pathological narcissism

“…This suggests that a vulnerable experience of self is also a salient manifestation of narcissistic grandiosity. Despite mixed empirical results supporting these results [9,18,40,42], this association is in line with existing theories of pathological narcissism, such as those advanced by Kernberg [43] and [48,50], which argue that narcissistic grandiosity essentially covers and protects an implicitly negative self-representation and underlying feelings of inferiority and neediness. Subsequent theorists have also noted that narcissistic grandiosity is closely intertwined with external validation [66] despite fears and/or dismissal of dependency on others [15].…”

“…In this regard, Robbins and Dupont [ 70 ] describe a vicious cycle in which the problematic interpersonal behaviour of the narcissistic individual leads to a breakdown of interpersonal relations, followed by the accompanying reinforcement of these same problematic behaviours that are used to reinforce a fragile sense of self. These conflictual relationship patterns have been directly identified in empirical research, examining the moment-to-moment interactions between individuals with pathological narcissism and their partners or family members [ 18 ]. Similarly, Kernberg [ 44 ] argued that narcissistic individuals hold contradictory views of the self, which vacillate between the clinical expression of grandiose and vulnerable symptoms.…”

The “Well-Dressed Snake Personality”: An Insight into Narcissistic/Psychopathic Personalities

“…The Dark Triad has consistently been found to be related to interpersonal dysfunction within intimate relationships [135][136][137]. Such dysfunctional patterns towards partners have involved: controlling and vindictive behaviours, stalking behaviours and interpersonal violence, a callous/cold-hearted, selfseeking and dominant attitude, and the tendency to create short-term relationships [135,138].…”

“…Furthermore, among all the three elements of the DT, psychopathy is the one that appears to be most associated with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) that can be expressed as psychological, physical or sexual abuse towards intimates [141]. Narcissist create good first impressions as they are self-confident about their attractiveness [136,137]. Indeed, problems do not usually occur at the beginning of the relationship.…”

Fatigue, Pro-Social Attitude and Quality of Life as Predictors of Empathy in Medical and Social-Oriented Students

“…In the context of the first group of variables related to empathy, and included in the broadly defined term general condition (both mental and physical), in the literature we find many studies on stress or burnout, for example [ 15 , 16 ]. In the group of other variables associated with more dispositional conditions, narcissistic tendencies [ 17 ], for example, are perceived as related to empathy on the one hand, and agreeableness and community orientation on the other [ 18 ].…”