Trouble ahead, trouble behind: Narcissism and early maladaptive schemas

Narcissism is a multifaceted construct that is inconsistently defined and assessed between clinical psychology and social-personality psychology. The purpose of the present study was to examine the similarities and differences in the cognitive schemas underlying various forms of narcissism. This was accomplished by examining the associations of normal and pathological forms of narcissism with the early maladaptive schemas. The results showed important similarities in these associations (e.g., all of the narcissism scales were positively associated with the entitlement schema) as well as differences (e.g., vulnerable narcissism was the only form of narcissism that was positively associated with subjugation). Discussion focuses on the implications of these results for the ways in which individuals with these forms of narcissism perceive and navigate their social environments.

Research highlights
► Both normal and pathological forms of narcissism are associated with schemas concerning entitlement.
► Important differences emerged in the associations that the forms of narcissism had with early maladaptive schemas.
► Early maladaptive schemas may be associated with the ways in which individuals with various forms of narcissism perceive and navigate their social environments.