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Cited by 25Personality Traits and PsychologyChild Abuse and TraumaPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

Adverse childhood experiences and grandiose narcissism – Findings from a population-representative sample

Clemens, Vera, Fegert, Jörg M., Allroggen, Marc·2022·Child Abuse & Neglect
DOI 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105545
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Abstract

Background In the development of narcissism, besides genetic factors, hostile educational conditions, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are discussed as causal factors. ACE may play a causal role in the development of antagonistic behavior due to negative interpersonal experiences. However, studies assessing the role of ACEs in the etiology of narcissism are still inconsistent, particularly regarding grandiose narcissism. This may be due to the complexity of grandiose narcissism, which can be distinguished into agentic (admiration) and antagonistic (rivalry) facets. Understanding the role of early traumatic events in the etiology of grandiose narcissism may be important for psychotherapeutic treatment in both, patients with trauma history and narcissistic patients.Objective We aimed to specify the role of ACEs in grandiose narcissism by differentiating between admiration and rivalry.Participants and setting In a cross-sectional survey conducted from November 2017 to February 2018, a representative sample of the German population above the age of 14 (N = 2531) was selected in a random route approach.Results Increased numbers of ACEs were associated with higher mean scores for rivalry in females (B = 0.04, p = 0.02) and males (B = 0.08, p < 0.01), while no significant associations were seen for admiration. Focusing on individual ACEs, in males, all maltreatment experiences were associated with narcissistic rivalry, with the exception of physical neglect, while in women only emotional maltreatment and emotional neglect were significant. Associations with household dysfunction were shown only in men. There were no significant associations between individual ACEs and admiration.Conclusions Our results suggest emotional coldness and negative relationship experiences play a role in the development of, in particular, antagonistic and unfavorable narcissistic traits, such as admiration. Therapy with individuals who have experienced ACEs should take into account possible narcissistic personality traits related to ACEs to facilitate successful treatment. Thus, our findings may help building a therapeutic alliance though a better understanding of the development of current behavioral problems for both patient and psychotherapist.

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  • Third-generation studies have documented differential etiologies for vulnerable versus grandiose narcissism and a multifactorial etiology of NPD.

    “Those studies have documented differential etiologies for vulnerable versus grandiose narcissism and a multifactorial etiology of NPD.”

    From Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Progress in Understanding and Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [54]

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Authors
Clemens, V., Fegert, J. M., & Allroggen, M.
Affiliations
Universität Ulm (DE)
Corresponding author
Clemens, Vera
ORCID
Venue
Child Abuse & Neglect
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-05
Volume
127
Pages
105545
ISSN
0145-2134 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105545
OpenAlex
W4214682735
Cited by
25
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2
FWCI
4.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Child Abuse & Neglect (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords
adverse childhood experiences, grandiose narcissism, narcissistic admiration, narcissistic rivalry, psychological maltreatment, emotional neglect, physical neglect, household dysfunction, gender differences, psychotherapy
MeSH terms
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Hostility, Humans, Male, Narcissism, Mood Disorders

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