When Grandiosity and Vulnerability Collide: Implicit and Explicit Self-Esteem in Patients with Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2013
Keywords
Implicit self-esteem, Explicit self-esteem, Fragile self-esteem, Damaged self-esteem, Discrepancies, Narcissistic personality disorder
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.07.001
Abstract
Background and Objectvies: Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is characterized by reports of grandiosity including exaggerated illusions of superiority and entitlement (DSM-IV-TR, APA, 2000). Based on clinical theories (e.g., Kernberg, 1975), many researchers argue that high explicit self-esteem in narcissists masks underlying implicit vulnerability (low implicit self-esteem). Conversely, based on social learning theories (i.e., Millon, 1981), people with NPD are characterized by implicit grandiosity (high implicit self-esteem). We test these competing hypotheses in patients diagnosed with NPD.
Methods: The present study examined implicit self-esteem (using an Implicit Association Test) and explicit self-esteem (using a self-report questionnaire) in patients with NPD in comparison to non-clinical and clinical, non-NPD (Borderline Personality Disorder, BPD) control groups.
Results: Patients with NPD scored lower on explicit self-esteem than non-clinical controls. In comparison to patients with BPD, NPD patients scored higher on explicit and implicit self-esteem. Moreover, within the group of NPD patients, damaged self-esteem (i.e., low explicit, high implicit) was associated with higher narcissistic psychopathology.
Limitations: In both clinical groups we included participants seeking psychiatric treatment, which might influence explicit self-esteem. Longitudinal studies are needed to further assess self-esteem stability in NPD patients in comparison to the control groups.
Conclusions: Our findings are indicative of vulnerable facets in patients with NPD (i.e., low explicit self-esteem). Furthermore, damaged self-esteem is connected to specific psychopathology within the NPD group. Implications for research on NPD are discussed.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, v. 44, issue 1, p. 37-47
Scholar Commons Citation
Vater, Aline; Ritter, Kathrin; Schröder-Abé, Michela; Schutz, Astrid; Lammers, Claas-Hinrich; Bosson, Jennifer K.; and Roepke, Stefan, "When Grandiosity and Vulnerability Collide: Implicit and Explicit Self-Esteem in Patients with Narcissistic Personality Disorder" (2013). Psychology Faculty Publications. 1159.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/1159
