In:
Psychopathology, S. Karger AG, Vol. 51, No. 5 ( 2018), p. 318-325
Abstract:
〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Background: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 Normal and pathological narcissism have been the focus of considerable theoretical discussion and empirical research in recent years in personality psychology and psychopathology. Kernberg [ 〈 xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1" 〉 1 〈 /xref 〉 - 〈 xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4" 〉 4 〈 /xref 〉 ] has argued that there is a particularly dysfunctional and impairing variant of narcissistic disturbance known as 〈 i 〉 malignant narcissism 〈 /i 〉 . This exploratory study sought to develop, using established assessment methods, a dimensional measure of malignant narcissism that incorporates the key features of grandiose narcissism, paranoid propensities, psychopathic features, and proclivity for a sadistic and aggressive interpersonal style. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Method and Sampling: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 This study examined 57 subjects, diagnosed with borderline personality disorder that were treated using 3 different empirically supported treatments in a previous study [ 〈 xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref5" 〉 5 〈 /xref 〉 ], for possible deviance on the proposed malignant narcissism index. It also evaluated 2 important clinical domains of change in relation to malignant narcissism. To wit, it was predicted, based on Kernberg’s [ 〈 xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref3" 〉 3 〈 /xref 〉 , 〈 xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4" 〉 4 〈 /xref 〉 ] clinical model, that elevated levels of malignant narcissism would be significantly associated with slower rates of improvement in both general psychosocial/psychological functioning and anxiety among treated individuals. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 Higher levels of malignant narcissism were associated, as predicted, with slower rates of improvement in both global functioning and anxiety. The proposed malignant narcissism index was a more powerful predictor of slowed improvement in global functioning than simple narcissistic personality disorder features. 〈 b 〉 〈 i 〉 Conclusions: 〈 /i 〉 〈 /b 〉 The heuristic potential of the malignant narcissism construct is discussed and the utility of a dimensional approach to this construct is explored, especially in reference employing personality traits/processes to better understand pathological configurations and personality disturbance.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0254-4962
,
1423-033X
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2018
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1483565-4
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