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Cited by 148Personality Traits and PsychologyPersonality Disorders and PsychopathologyPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

Clinical Correlates of Vulnerable and Grandiose Narcissism: A Personality Perspective

Kaufman, Scott Barry, Weiss, Brandon, Miller, Joshua D., Campbell, W. Keith·2020·Journal of Personality Disorders
DOI 10.1521/pedi_2018_32_384
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Abstract

There is broad consensus that there are at least two different dimensions of narcissism: vulnerable and grandiose. In this study, the authors use a new trifurcated, three-factor model of narcissism to examine relations between aspects of narcissism and an array of clinically relevant criteria related to psychopathology, the self, authenticity, and well-being. Neurotic and antagonistic aspects of narcissism emerged as the most clinically relevant dimensions of narcissism, bearing relations with outcomes relating to interpersonal guilt, insecure attachment styles, cognitive distortions, maladaptive defense mechanisms, experiential avoidance, impostor syndrome, weak sense of self, inauthenticity, low self-esteem, and reduced psychological well-being. Grandiose narcissism was not correlated with most forms of psychopathology and was even positively associated with life satisfaction. Nevertheless, a surprising link was found between grandiose narcissism and multiple indicators of inauthenticity. Implications for the appropriate conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of pathological narcissism are discussed.

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  • Research has demonstrated that individuals with grandiose narcissism had less consistent and weaker self-reported indices of psychopathology, and instead were positively correlated with adaptive coping, life satisfaction, and image-distorting defense mechanisms.

    “Indeed, research has demonstrated that individuals with grandiose narcissism had less consistent and weaker self-reported indices of psychopathology, and instead were positively correlated with adaptive coping, life satisfaction, and image-distorting defense mechanisms [41].”

    From “It’s not you, it’s me”: identity disturbance as the main contributor to interpersonal problems in pathological narcissism (2023) · cites this paper as [41]

  • Participants invested in a grandiose self-representation may under-report their degree of psychopathology in an effort to maintain their sense of superiority.

    “That is, participants invested in a grandiose self-representation may under-report their degree of psychopathology in an effort to maintain their sense of superiority.”

    From “It’s not you, it’s me”: identity disturbance as the main contributor to interpersonal problems in pathological narcissism (2023) · cites this paper as [41]

  • Vulnerable narcissism includes depressed mood, insecurity, hypersensitivity, shame and identification with victimhood.

    “Vulnerable narcissism, in marked contrast to the overt grandiose features listed in DSM-5 criteria, includes instances of depressed mood, insecurity, hypersensitivity, shame and identification with victimhood [8–12].”

    From Living with pathological narcissism: a qualitative study (2020) · cites this paper as [11]

  • Recent research supports this defensive function of grandiosity.

    “Recent research supports this defensive function of grandiosity, with Kaufman, Weiss [11] stating “grandiose narcissism was less consistently and strongly related to psychopathology … and even showed positive correlations with adaptive coping, life satisfaction and image-distorting defense mechanisms” (p. 18).”

    From Living with pathological narcissism: a qualitative study (2020) · cites this paper as [11]

  • Vulnerable narcissism is mainly manifested in avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and is related to avoidant attachment and maladaptive, impulsive and avoidant ways of coping with stress.

    “Vulnerable narcissism is mainly manifested in the avoidant and obsessive-compulsive PD [76, 81] and is related to avoidant attachment and maladaptive, impulsive and avoidant ways of coping with stress [54].”

    From Individual psychotherapy for cluster-C personality disorders: protocol of a pragmatic RCT comparing short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy, affect phobia therapy and schema therapy (I-FORCE) (2023) · cites this paper as [54]

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Authors
Kaufman, S. B., Weiss, B., Miller, J. D., & Campbell, W. K.
Affiliations
  • University of Pennsylvania (US)
  • University of Georgia (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Personality Disorders
Publisher
Guilford Publications
Published
2020-02
Volume
34
Issue
1
Pages
107-130
ISSN
0885-579X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1521/pedi_2018_32_384
OpenAlex
W2890459614
Cited by
148
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 2
FWCI
9.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Personality Disorders (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
vulnerable narcissism, grandiose narcissism, pathological narcissism, antagonistic narcissism, inauthenticity, self-esteem, impostor syndrome, insecure attachment, cognitive distortions, experiential avoidance, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, psychopathology
MeSH terms
Adult, Defense Mechanisms, Delusions, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Narcissism, Personality, Personality Disorders, Personality Inventory

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