Narcissism and narcissistic defences in the eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the associations between eating pathology and narcissism in an eating-disordered group. Narcissism was conceptualized in terms of both its core element (entitlement, grandiosity) and the narcissistic defenses that are used to maintain self-esteem.


METHODS
Seventy non-clinical and 84 eating-disordered patients completed a measure of the different elements of narcissism, and a standardized measure of eating pathology.


RESULTS
The eating-disordered group scored higher than the non-clinical women on the measures of core narcissism and of the narcissistically abused style ("poor me" defense). The pattern of dimensional associations between narcissism and eating pathology was highly similar across the clinical and nonclinical groups, with the narcissistic defenses playing the strongest role. The poisonous pedagogy style ("bad you" defense) was positively associated with restrictive attitudes toward eating, while the narcissistically abused style was positively associated with restraint, eating concern, body shape concern, and body weight concern.


CONCLUSIONS
The narcissistic defenses are particularly relevant in understanding the eating disorders. Implications for future research are outlined, and suggestions are made about the need to assess and respond to these associations in treatment.
Waller
Glenn
G
Eating Disorders Section, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, University of London, London, England. glenn.waller@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Sines
Jennie
J
Meyer
Caroline
C
Foster
Emma
E
Skelton
Anna
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009289:Narcissism; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012016:Reference Values; D012649:Self Concept