New study investigates the role compassion may play in reducing certain narcissistic traits
rael-science
New study investigates the role compassion may play in reducing certain narcissistic traits
New
research seeks to understand what interventions may improve some of the
destructive symptoms of narcissism. Researchers from the University of
Maastricht investigated the consequences of exercises to induce two
different types of compassion, self-compassion and compassion for
others. Their findings indicate targeted interventions inducing feelings
of compassion may work for some with grandiose or vulnerable
narcissistic traits.
Grandiose
and vulnerable narcissism are a pair of traits that result in behaviors
that are damaging to the individual and those around them. Grandiose
narcissism refers to a set of behaviors that can be characterized by
arrogance, superiority and exploitation of others. Vulnerable narcissism
is evident when individuals are extremely sensitive to judgment, lack
self-esteem and are neurotic.
Those
with the grandiose trait are likely to be unnecessarily competitive,
denigrating, and manipulative in relationships with others. Those in
relationship with people who experience vulnerable narcissism may deal
with a person who plays the victim, is manipulative and lashes out
emotionally or physically. Both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism are
at greater risk for self-harming behavior.
The
230 study participants were mostly Western European, with 65%
identifying as female. Over half of the participants were students.
Participants completed measures of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism,
and compassion. Then they were induced to think compassionately by
participating in two different conditions.
The
first is the self-compassionate mindset induction. In this condition
participants were asked to think about a situation that is currently
difficult or painful for the. They were asked to write about this even
focusing on being mindful, kind and recognizing examples of common
humanity.
The
other condition was created by the research team to be similar to the
self-compassionate mindset induction, but illicit feelings of compassion
for others. Both of these assessments were writing prompts and asked
participants to write at least 200 words.
The
researchers established four hypotheses for their study. The first
guessed that self-compassion scores would go up among those who had high
scores in grandiose narcissism and were exposed to the exercise
inducing self-compassion. Surprisingly, this was found not to be the
case, as there was no change in their self compassion.
Their
second hypothesis guessed that those with grandiose narcissism would
experience challenges developing compassion for others especially after
exposure to self-compassion. This was only partially true for those who
scored high in the exploitative-entitled sub-component to grandiose
narcissism. In this case, when the compassion inducement had them think
of someone close to them, they demonstrated more compassion.
The
last two hypotheses were connected to vulnerable narcissism. The first
posited that self-compassion would improve after exposure to
self-compassion inducement. There was a moderate relationship,
specifically there was a reduction in sensitivity to judgment.
The
final hypothesis guessed that when those with vulnerable narcissism
were exposed to both self-compassion and compassion for others
inducements, they would not show significant changes in compassion for
others. This was proven true for those with high levels of vulnerable
narcissism, but was less so with individuals with low levels.
The
research team acknowledges limitations to the study. The cross
sectional design does not allow for any conclusions about long term
effects of these interventions. Additionally the goal of the research
may have been guessed by the participants and this could have skewed
responses to questions about their compassion.
These
limitations do not deter from the studies important findings. The
research team sums it up this way, “Overall, the findings suggest that
the magnitude of the increases in compassion depends on individual
differences. Grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic traits are both
thought of as devastating to intra- and inter-personal wellbeing in the
long run and thus could present excellent targets for therapeutic
compassion exercises.”
The study, “Narcissistic traits and compassion: Embracing oneself while devoting others”,
was authored by Vanessa Freund, Frenk Peeters, Cor Meesters, Nicole
Geschwind, Lotte Lemmens, David Bernstein, and Jill Lobbestael.
