Pathological Narcissism and Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder Among Psychiatric Outpatients: The Mediating Role of Impaired Emotional Processing

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2020 Feb;208(2):161-164. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000001114.

Abstract

Research is scarce regarding the mechanisms by which pathological narcissism--consisting of narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability--is linked with depression. The present study examined whether impaired emotional processing would mediate relations between pathological narcissism domains and depressive symptoms in a sample of 99 psychiatric outpatients. A significant indirect effect was found for narcissistic vulnerability on depressive symptoms, through unprocessed emotion as a mediator. Findings suggest that narcissistic vulnerability contributes to persistent and intrusive negative feelings, which in turn contribute to depressive symptom severity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / etiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Emotions*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Outpatients / psychology
  • Personality Disorders / complications
  • Personality Disorders / psychology*
  • Personality Inventory
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires