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Cited by 31Personality Traits and PsychologyPersonality Disorders and PsychopathologyPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

Narcissistic traits in young people and how experiencing shame relates to current attachment challenges

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van Schie, Charlotte C., Jarman, Heidi L., Reis, Samantha, Grenyer, Brin F. S.·2021·BMC Psychiatry
DOI 10.1186/s12888-021-03249-4PMC PMC8112045
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Abstract

Background: Young people with pathological narcissistic traits may have more maladaptive ways of relating to themselves and others. In this study, we investigated how the experience of shame may be a mechanism by which vulnerable and grandiose pathological narcissism relates to negative and positive internalised models of the self and others, manifested as attachment styles. Methods: Participants (N = 348) were young people who reported on pathological narcissism, the experience of shame and their model of self and others (secure, dismissive, preoccupied and fearful attachment). Mediation of the experience of shame between vulnerable and grandiose narcissism on the one hand and secure, dismissive, preoccupied and fearful attachment on the other hand, was tested using a path model. Results: Shame mediated the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and a more negative model of others and self (i.e. less secure, more fearful and more preoccupied in attachment). Higher grandiose narcissism traits were related to a more positive model of others and self (i.e. more secure attachment) and were unrelated to the experience of shame. Conclusions: Young people with vulnerable narcissism traits tended to report more shame, and struggled to be close to others. It may be that shame experiences highlight a discrepancy between the ideal and actual self that may contribute to a more insecure attachment style. A good working alliance and fostering self-compassion may counter some negative effects of shame in those most vulnerable, but dismissal in those most grandiose presents a clinical conundrum requiring further research.

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  • Among people with vulnerable narcissism, shame tends to color perception of self and others in a more negative light.

    “Emotional experiences affect interpersonal functioning, because among people with vulnerable narcissism, shame tends to color perception of self and others in a more negative light (48).”

    From Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Progress in Understanding and Treatment (2022) · cites this paper as [48]

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [42]Beer JS Heerey EA Keltner D Scabini D Knight RT The regulatory function of self-conscious emotion: insights from patients with orbitofrontal damage J Pers Soc Psychol 2003 85 4 594 604 10.1037/0022-3514.85.4.594 14561114 · DOI
  2. [88]Cain NM Pincus AL Ansell EB Narcissism at the crossroads: phenotypic description of pathological narcissism across clinical theory, social/personality psychology, and psychiatric diagnosis Clin Psychol Rev 2008 28 4 638 656 10.1016/j.cpr.2007.09.006 18029072 · DOI · Paper page
  3. [102]Winnicott DW Ego distortion in terms of true and false self. In: The Maturational Processes and the Facilitating Environment: studies in the theory of emotional development. Edn 1965 London The Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psychoanalysis

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Authors
van Schie, C. C., Jarman, H. L., Reis, S., & Grenyer, B. F. S.
Affiliations
University of Wollongong (AU)
Corresponding author
Grenyer, Brin F. S.
ORCID
Venue
BMC Psychiatry
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2021-05-11
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
246-246
ISSN
1471-244X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12888-021-03249-4
PMC
PMC8112045
OpenAlex
W3161475619
Cited by
31
References
112
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4
FWCI
2.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMC Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
Funders
NSW Ministry of Health
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
pathological narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, grandiose narcissism, shame, attachment styles, internal working models, youth, secure attachment, dismissive attachment, preoccupied attachment, fearful attachment, self-compassion, therapeutic relationship
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Delusions, Fear, Humans, Narcissism, Shame

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