Childhood Precursors of the Narcissistic Personality
Abstract
This research identifies the childhood personality characteristics that predict the presence of narcissism in adulthood. Using data from the longitudinal study of Block and Block (The California Child Q-set. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1980), childhood personality characteristics were assessed at age 11 (N = 100) using the California Child Q-set. A number of these were shown to differentially predict the presence of grandiose or vulnerable narcissism at age 23. Factor analyses of the Child Q-set items showed that the presence of Grandiose Narcissism was positively related to childhood factors representing social presence and negatively related to planfulness. In contrast, vulnerable narcissism was positively related to childhood impulsivity and negatively related to stable self-esteem. Both types of narcissism were positively related to childhood factors representing need for control.
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Vulnerable narcissism has been prospectively predicted by childhood impulsivity and unstable self-esteem.
“Vulnerable narcissism has been prospectively predicted by childhood impulsivity and unstable self-esteem (72).”
From Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Progress in Understanding and Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [72]
Prospective studies have identified temperamental characteristics, such as interpersonal antagonism, impulsivity, attention seeking, high activity level, histrionic tendencies, and low playfulness, as childhood antecedents of grandiose narcissism.
“Prospective studies (71, 72) have identified temperamental characteristics, such as interpersonal antagonism, impulsivity, attention seeking, high activity level, histrionic tendencies, and low playfulness as childhood antecedents of grandiose narcissism.”
From Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Progress in Understanding and Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [72]
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Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Progress in Understanding and Treatment
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- Authors
- Cramer, P.
- Affiliations
- Williams College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Cramer, Phebe
- Venue
- Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease
- Published
- 2017-09
- Volume
- 205
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 679-684
- ISSN
- 0022-3018 (ISSN-L)
- 1539-736X
- OpenAlex
- W2702618363
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 0.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- narcissism, grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, child personality, personality development, impulsivity, self-esteem, need for control, social presence, planfulness
- MeSH terms
- Problem Behavior, Adult, Child, Child Behavior, Female, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Narcissism, Personality Disorders, Self Concept, Young Adult
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