Unmasking the Social Constructions of Male and Female Narcissism in the Media: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Contemporary UK Newspaper Articles

Abstract

This study takes a critical discursive approach to investigate the role of gender in the portrayal of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in UK media discourse. The main objective is to build a more comprehensive theoretical framework that deciphers the existing discourse on NPD, including the potential stigmatisation of specific genders and hidden assumptions of NPD. By employing a more nuanced and subjectively relevant approach, this study delves into the gender dynamics of NPD through public opinion to transcend the limitations imposed by rigid psychometric accounts and clinical studies that characterised earlier NPD literature. The NexisLexis UK online search database was accessed to search and collect UK national newspapers from the past 5 years (2017–2023). A total of nine articles consisting of 5,549 words were selected for analysis, with approximately 2,700 words allocated to each gender. Three repertoires of NPD and narcissism were identified: (a) male narcissism and traditional gender norms; (b) female narcissism as less threatening; and (c) narcissism as predominantly male. The analysis findings provide insight into the complex interaction between narcissism, gender, and the media, revealing how existing gender myths and social biases in the discourse of NPD can contribute to the perpetuation of power imbalances and gender stereotypes. The male-related repertoires are overwhelmingly dominant in the discourse, whereas the female-related ones construct the meaning of narcissism in different ways and reveal different types of subject positions for both genders. The study finds that the representations of male narcissism in the media are closely aligned with traditional gender norms and relationship expectations, contributing to the reinforcement of harmful gender stereotypes and power dynamics. While the female discourse on narcissism is portrayed as less threatening and more discreet, potentially leading to minimised recognition and treatment of NPD in women and maintaining social inequalities. Lastly, the portrayal of narcissism as a predominantly male issue may inadvertently stigmatise men while simultaneously marginalising women's experiences, limiting a comprehensive understanding of narcissism among genders. The findings of this study emphasised the importance of challenging and deconstructing traditional gender norms, harmful stereotypes, and biases in the discourse of NPD and narcissism.