TY - JOUR
T1 - Adverse childhood experiences leading to narcissistic personality disorder
T2 - a case report
AU - Ross, Allen G.
AU - Giri, Santosh
AU - Anyasodor, Anayochukwu E.
AU - Mahmood, Shakeel
AU - Astawesegn, Feleke H.
AU - Huda, M. Mamun
AU - Ahmed, Kedir Y.
AU - Mondal, Utpal K.
AU - Thapa, Subash
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Background: Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is associated with a complex interplay of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors. In this case report, we discuss the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the development of NPD in adulthood. Case presentation: Here, we report a clinical case of NPD to illustrate how ACEs, particularly physical and emotional neglect, combined with early life parental overvaluation, can impair emotional regulation and self-worth, contributing to the development of narcissistic traits. We analyse, in light of existing literature, how ACEs are associated with a wide spectrum of personality disorders, how parental overvaluation is linked to grandiose narcissism, and how childhood neglect and abuse are associated with vulnerable narcissism. Conclusion: ACEs are the primary risk factor for the development of NPD in adulthood. Dysfunctional household environments and parenting practices compound the association between ACEs and pathological narcissism. It is important to address childhood trauma for the prevention and treatment of NPD. Further research is necessary to clarify how individual factors influence the relationship between ACEs and pathological narcissism.
AB - Background: Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is associated with a complex interplay of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors. In this case report, we discuss the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the development of NPD in adulthood. Case presentation: Here, we report a clinical case of NPD to illustrate how ACEs, particularly physical and emotional neglect, combined with early life parental overvaluation, can impair emotional regulation and self-worth, contributing to the development of narcissistic traits. We analyse, in light of existing literature, how ACEs are associated with a wide spectrum of personality disorders, how parental overvaluation is linked to grandiose narcissism, and how childhood neglect and abuse are associated with vulnerable narcissism. Conclusion: ACEs are the primary risk factor for the development of NPD in adulthood. Dysfunctional household environments and parenting practices compound the association between ACEs and pathological narcissism. It is important to address childhood trauma for the prevention and treatment of NPD. Further research is necessary to clarify how individual factors influence the relationship between ACEs and pathological narcissism.
KW - Adverse childhood experiences
KW - Household dysfunction
KW - Narcissistic personality disorder
KW - Parenting
KW - Psychosocial risk factors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85209733114&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12888-024-06307-9
DO - 10.1186/s12888-024-06307-9
M3 - Article
C2 - 39578751
AN - SCOPUS:85209733114
SN - 1471-244x
VL - 24
JO - BMC Psychiatry
JF - BMC Psychiatry
IS - 1
M1 - 842
ER -
