New research has revealed that narcissistic tendencies are heavily influenced by our upbringing and play a significant role in adult relationships, leading to violence and bullying. However, the causes and outcomes of narcissism differ for men and women. The researchers discovered that there are significant gender variations in narcissism and how it impacts partner violence and bullying behavior. They found that in women, the trait is displayed in more vulnerable and subtle ways, in contrast to the typical grandiose and overt expressions of (male) narcissism.Dr. Emily Green, a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at City, and Dr. Claire Hart, an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Southampton, have conducted a groundbreaking study on the origins of narcissism and its role in violence. This is the first study to thoroughly examine both male and female narcissism. Their findings have been published in the journal Sex Roles.
Previous research on inter-partner violence has mainly focused on grandiose narcissism, particularly in men.
Dr. Green explained, “There has been very little research on vulnerable narcissism and on narcissism in women. This is partly due to the need for more in-depth studies on these topics.”The researchers emphasize the need for gender-inclusive assessments of narcissism that go beyond traditional male-centric frameworks. They point out that narcissism is a complex personality trait that we all display to some extent, with both grandiose and vulnerable forms. Individuals with more grandiose features are self-assured and socially dominant, while those with more vulnerable traits are introverted and have lower self-esteem. Both types of narcissism share a core of antagonism, characterized by high levels of entitlement and a willingness to exploit others.
“Narcissism and partner violence”
In a study of 328 adults (176 women and 152 men), Dr. Green and Dr. Hart analyzed the intricate relationship between childhood experiences, narcissism, and the act of intimate partner violence among males and females.
The results showed that men tended to have higher scores in grandiose narcissism, while women tended to have higher scores in vulnerable narcissism.
Dr. Green explained, “We observed that grandiose narcissism in men was linked to a higher incidence of psychological partner violence, while vulnerable narcissism in women was associated with a greater likelihood of physical and psychological violence towards their partners.”
Intimate partner violence can be physical, sexual, and psychological.
“Women who had a caring mother during childhood were less likely to exhibit vulnerable narcissism and engage in partner violence, which suggests that early positive experiences can serve as a protective factor and should be considered in intervention programs.”
Narcissism and bullying in friendships
Dr. Green and Dr. Hart investigated the impact of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism on bullying within friend groups by surveying 314 women.
Dr. Hart explained: “Higher scores on vulnerable narcissism were associated with increased perpetration of bullying among friends.”
The study found that both vulnerable and grandiose narcissism were linked to a higher chance of participating in verbal, physical, and indirect bullying. Specifically, higher scores in grandiose narcissism were associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in verbal or physical bullying. However, when looking at both types of narcissism together, only vulnerable narcissism was identified as a significant predictor of verbal and physical bullying among women. This emphasizes the importance of vulnerable narcissism in women’s participation in bullying.
Dr Green commented, “These results indicate that narcissistic women are less likely to display the typical characteristics of grandiose narcissism.The phenomenon of narcissism in women may manifest in ways that resemble traditional male characteristics, possibly out of fear of facing criticism for not adhering to female gender stereotypes. Instead, characteristics of vulnerable narcissism, which are more commonly associated with femininity, pose a greater risk for women engaging in offending behaviors. As a result, these traits are often overlooked and dismissed due to their understated nature. A deeper understanding of the impact of narcissism in women can guide the development of gender-specific interventions to address and prevent intimate partner violence and bullying.
