Narcissists can be hard to empathize with, but research on inherited narcissism shows they didn’t choose to be that way; they bear scars from childhood.
Traditionally, childrearing, particularly by the mother, was considered the cause of narcissism. In recent years, more research and twin studies have also looked at genetic factors.
When you grow up with a narcissistic parent, you can get a double dose of hereditary and environmental factors.
Parenting
Psychoanalyst Heinz Kohut (1913-1981) believed that insufficient nurturing from their mothers (or other early caregivers) caused pathological narcissism, by arresting the natural development of healthy narcissism.
Without empathic parental interactions, these children lacked modeling, which stunted their emotional capacity to empathize.
Empathetic matching of feelings is also essential for the healthy development of the self. Instead of feeling loved and accepted for who they were, they grew up praised only for their performance and for being the best, creating a belief that their true self was unlovable. Who they were and what they did were never good enough.
Another psychoanalyst, Otto Kernberg (b. 1928), emphasized the significance of veiled parental aggression expressed with harshness or criticism stemming from anger, envy, hate, or indifference. Such parents may be domineering, exploitative, or manipulative causing a …
All of us or at least many of us probably have something to heal. Maybe we are already in the process ...
Relationship therapists and researchers like Howard J. Markman, Scott M. Stanley, and Susan L. Blumberg, coauthors of Fighting for Your Marriage, recommend that ...
New Year’s resolutions often come with high hopes and a desire for self-improvement. Even though the intent is positive, the process ...
Happy New Year! It’s 2025! “New Year, New Me!” Sound familiar? Every year, millions of people embrace this mantra, dive into ...
Female narcissists can be harder to spot; first, because they’re less numerous, and second, because their behavior may be less assertive ...
Studies have shown that individuals who share their stories with empathic others experience lower levels of emotional distress, increased resilience, and ...
When reality doesn’t match our desires and childhood coping mechanisms fail us, life presents us with painful lessons that may lead ...
The term "addiction" often triggers a strong negative reaction in many people, leading them to shy away from associating themselves with ...
In childhood, I lost trust in my parents and traditional religion and have since struggled with understanding and embracing the complexities ...
In today's fast world, we often forget how sleep affects us. The link between sleep and stress is clear. Knowing this can change ...
We all get stressed during the holiday season. Most of us just deal with whatever is currently pressing on us without ...
