Summary: New research shows that vulnerable narcissism in women is linked to higher rates of intimate partner violence and peer bullying. Unlike the more overt, grandiose narcissism commonly documented in men, women’s narcissistic traits often present in more subtle, hypersensitive forms. The findings underline the importance of gender-sensitive assessment and targeted interventions to reduce violence and abuse.
Key Facts:
- Vulnerable narcissism in women is associated with physical, sexual, and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV).
- Men tend to score higher on grandiose narcissism, while women score higher on vulnerable narcissism.
- Positive childhood experiences, such as recalling a caring mother, are associated with lower vulnerable narcissism in women and reduced violent behavior.
Source: City University London
Researchers found that narcissistic traits in women frequently appear in vulnerable and subtle ways, differing from the stereotypical, grandiose narcissism more often observed in men. This distinction has implications for how risk is identified and how interventions are designed.
The studies were led by Dr Ava Green, Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at City University London, and Dr Claire Hart, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Southampton. This research is among the first to examine the interplay between the developmental origins of narcissism and its role in violent and bullying behaviors, and the first to compare male and female patterns in detail.
Historically, research on partner violence has focused primarily on grandiose narcissism and has largely centered on men. Dr Green explains, “There has been little research on vulnerable narcissism and on narcissism in women. Part of this gap reflects a need for gender-inclusive assessments that move beyond male-centric frameworks. Our research addresses this shortcoming.”
Dr Hart adds, “Narcissism is a complex personality feature that appears in both grandiose and vulnerable forms. Grandiose narcissism tends to involve self-assurance and social dominance, while vulnerable narcissism is marked by introversion, hypersensitivity, and lower self-esteem. Both forms share an antagonistic core—traits such as entitlement and a tendency to exploit others—but they can predict different patterns of offending and interpersonal harm.”
Narcissism and intimate partner violence
In a sample of 328 adults (176 women and 152 men), the researchers explored how childhood experiences, narcissistic traits, and later perpetration of intimate partner violence are linked. Men scored higher on measures of grandiose narcissism, while women scored higher on measures of vulnerable narcissism.
The study found that for men, higher grandiose narcissism was associated mainly with greater perpetration of psychological partner violence. For women, higher vulnerable narcissism was associated with increased perpetration of physical, sexual, and psychological partner violence.
Importantly, retrospective reports of having a caring mother during childhood were linked to lower levels of vulnerable narcissism in women and, in turn, to reduced perpetration of partner violence. For men, mother care related negatively to grandiose narcissism, while father overprotectiveness was positively related to grandiose narcissism. These patterns point to gender-specific developmental pathways that may moderate later risk.
Narcissism and bullying among friends
A second study focused on bullying within friendship groups using an all-women sample of 314 participants. When examined separately, both vulnerable and grandiose narcissism showed associations with various types of bullying. Vulnerable narcissism correlated with verbal, physical, and indirect bullying, while grandiose narcissism correlated with physical and verbal bullying.
However, when both types of narcissism were evaluated together, vulnerable narcissism remained the more consistent predictor of physical and verbal bullying among women. Subscale analyses linked features such as contingent self-esteem, devaluing others, and entitlement-related rage to multiple forms of bullying, suggesting specific vulnerable-narcissistic processes that drive aggressive behavior among peers.
Dr Green notes that women with narcissistic traits may avoid overt grandiosity to escape potential backlash for violating feminine norms, instead expressing vulnerability-related traits that align more closely with gender expectations. These subtle expressions can make vulnerable narcissism a hidden risk factor for offending behaviors in women and contribute to its marginalization in research and policy.
A clearer, gender-sensitive understanding of narcissism can inform the development of tailored prevention and intervention strategies aimed at reducing intimate partner violence and bullying. Interventions that recognize the distinct pathways for men and women and that incorporate developmental histories—such as parental care—may be especially beneficial.
About this research and publication
Author: George Wigmore
Source: City University London
Contact: George Wigmore – City University London
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research (Open access):
“Gendering Narcissism: Different Roots and Different Routes to Intimate Partner Violence” by Ava Green et al., published in Sex Roles.
“Mean Girls in Disguise? Associations Between Vulnerable Narcissism and Perpetration of Bullying Among Women” by Ava Green et al., published in Sex Roles.
Abstract — Gendering Narcissism: Different Roots and Different Routes to Intimate Partner Violence
Recent work employing gender-inclusive assessments reveals differences in how narcissism begins and is expressed across genders, and how these differences relate to risk for partner violence. This study tested whether grandiose and vulnerable narcissism mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and later intimate partner violence, and whether gender moderates these pathways. Participants (N = 328) completed measures of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, perceived parenting styles, and self-reported physical/sexual and psychological abuse perpetration. Results showed men scored higher on grandiose narcissism and women higher on vulnerable narcissism. Maternal care related negatively to grandiose narcissism in men and to vulnerable narcissism in women. Father overprotectiveness related positively to grandiose narcissism in men. Vulnerable narcissism in women was linked to greater perpetration of physical/sexual and psychological IPV, while grandiose narcissism in men related to greater psychological IPV. For women only, maternal care was associated with reduced psychological IPV via lower vulnerable narcissism. These findings identify gendered risk markers and pathways relevant for intervention.
Abstract — Mean Girls in Disguise? Associations Between Vulnerable Narcissism and Perpetration of Bullying Among Women
Bullying research has often emphasized male-perpetrated, overt forms of aggression tied to grandiose narcissism, leaving the role of narcissism in women understudied. Using an all-women sample (N = 314), this study examined grandiose and vulnerable narcissism in relation to verbal, physical, and indirect bullying. Correlations revealed vulnerable narcissism was positively associated with all three bullying types; grandiose narcissism correlated with physical and verbal bullying. Subscale analyses highlighted contingent self-esteem, devaluing, and entitlement rage as linked to multiple bullying behaviors. When both narcissism types were entered simultaneously, vulnerable narcissism remained a significant predictor of physical and verbal bullying. These results suggest vulnerable narcissism may be particularly relevant to bullying perpetration among women, with implications for gender-responsive anti-bullying strategies.