2025 Study: Narcissism Does Not Predict Abuse

About this episode

The episode discusses a study examining the relationship between narcissism and abuse, challenging common misconceptions.

This episode continues the Heal NPD Seminar Series with Dr. Mark Ettensohn, joined by his associates Deanna Young, Psy.D., and Danté Spencer, M.A. In this session, the group examines a recent empirical study titled Coercive Control and Intimate Partner Violence: Relationship with Personality Disorder Severity and Pathological Narcissism (2025). The discussion responds directly to common claims in online discourse that narcissism inherently causes abuse, and asks a more precise question: What does the data actually show about the relationship between narcissism, personality dysfunction, abuse, and coercive control? The study reviewed draws on informant reports from long-term partners and family members of individuals perceived as highly narcissistic. Importantly, narcissism was rated by loved ones rather than self-reported, addressing a frequent critique of prior research. The findings showed no significant association between overall pathological narcissism and abuse, and only weak associations with coercive control. In contrast, overall personality disorder severity showed stronger and more consistent relationships with both abuse and coercive control, but these associations…

People in this episode

Host: Mark Ettensohn

Guests: Deanna Young, Danté Spencer

Topics covered

• narcissism
• abuse
• coercive control
• personality disorders
• empirical study
• clinical implications

Keywords

• narcissism
• abuse
• coercive control
• personality disorder
• empirical study
• clinical implications
• pathological narcissism

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Coercive Control and Intimate Partner Violence: Relationship with Personality Disorder Severity and Pathological Narcissism

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