title: Narcissism and relational representations among psychiatric outpatients.
abstract: Pathological narcissism is associated with maladaptive interpersonal behavior, although less is known regarding the internal relational representations of narcissistic patients. The authors examined the relationship between pathological narcissism and two constructs that reflect internal representations of relational patterns: quality of object relations and attachment style. Patients attending a psychiatric day treatment program (N = 218) completed measures of narcissism, general psychiatric distress, and attachment style in terms of attachment avoidance and anxiety. A semistructured interview was used to assess quality of object relations. Multiple regression analysis was conducted, controlling for general psychiatric distress. Pathological narcissism was associated with anxious attachment, but not with avoidant attachment. Narcissism was also associated with lower levels of quality of object relations. The implications of these results are discussed in terms of internal representations of self-other relations.
authors: 1 Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Kealy
authors: 1 Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.
authors: John S
authors: JS
authors: Ogrodniczuk
authors: 2 Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta.
authors: Anthony S
authors: AS
authors: Joyce
authors: 1 Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.
authors: Paul I
authors: PI
authors: Steinberg
authors: 1 Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.
authors: William E
authors: WE
authors: Piper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009289:Narcissism; D009769:Object Attachment; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires