When Narcissism is a Good Thing (Separation-Individuation in Childhood and in Adolescence)
May 21, 2025
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15:44Now PlayingWhen Narcissism is a Good Thing (Separation-Individuation in Childhood and in Adolescence)
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as posted by the channelWATCH Adolescent NarcissistPersonal Fable, Imaginary Audience
In both childhood and adolescence, narcissism is a positive adaptation and contributes to self-efficacy. Application to shared fantasy as reenactment of separation-individuation and repetition compulsion with heightened narcissism as a positive adaptive strategy.
Adolescents are more narcissistic in general (Blos 1962, Winnicott 1965, Kohut 1977, Bleiberg 1994) and especially when they experience difficulties with separation-individuation when they construct a self-concept, ego, and identity away from their parents (Erikson 1950, 1968; Marcia 1980; Blos 1962, Josselson 1988; Banai, Mikulincer, and Shaver 2005; Lapsley and Aalsma 2006, Lapsley, Fitzgerald, Rice, and Jackson, 1989).
Wrong choices lead to self-doubt and a sense of inadequacy. Grandiose narcissism buttresses and restores self-esteem on such occasions.
Adolescents who feel omnipotent and omnipotent score higher on measures of mastery coping and have decreased depressive and self-esteem issues.
Adolescents that are covert (believe that they are so unique that no one can understand them) exhibit many pathological symptoms (Aalsma, Lapsley, Flannery 2006; Hill and Lapsley 2011).
Some clinical features of narcissism (exhibitionism, exploitativeness, entitlement) predict delinquency and problems in conduct while features related to greater self-esteem (self-sufficiency, authority) do not (Barry et al. 2003; Barry, Grafeman et al. 2007; Donnelan, Trzensiewski, Robins, Moffit and Caspi 2005).
Narcissism is conducive to setting occupational and financial life goals (Arnett 2000; Staudinger 1996); Roberts and Robins 2000). Setting goals focused on money and recognition is adaptive during college, though not necessarily correlated with wellbeing later on in life (Hill, Burrow, Brandenberger, Lapsley and Quaranto 2010).
Generally speaking: self-focus and individualism are adaptive during the adoption of new roles and expectations. Having an inflated sense of self leads towards setting goals that promote self-interest.
Narcissism can be either adaptive or maladaptive (Barry et al 2003; Barry, Grafeman, Adler, and Pickard 2007; Pincus and Lukowitsky 2010; Hill and Lapsley 2011).
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