Attachment insecurity and dysfunctional identity as contributors to pathological narcissism, and mediators of adverse parenting

Abstract

Identifying personality features underlying pathological narcissism is important for informing treatment of pathological narcissism. The present study investigated both attachment insecurity and dysfunctional identity in relation to pathological narcissism, beyond five-factor personality traits, among 392 online responders. A proposed mediation model was also examined regarding indirect effects of perceived adverse parenting on pathological narcissism through attachment insecurity and dysfunctional identity. Attachment anxiety and dysfunctional identity were significant predictors of pathological narcissism after controlling for the effects of five-factor traits and age. Attachment anxiety and dysfunctional identity also mediated the association between perceived adverse parenting and pathological narcissism. These findings contribute to the conceptualization of pathological narcissism as involving an insecure, anxious attachment style and an impaired self-concept.