On the Road Leading to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: Brief Report on Narcissistic Vulnerability and Shame

Abstract

Background: Recent empirical research showed that pathological narcissism is related to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI). However, both narcissistic vulnerability and narcissistic grandiosity were resulted related to NSSI and the differences between them and their role in NSSI remains unclear. Some authors underlined the potential role of shame in the genesis of self-directed aggression. Objectives: This study investigates the role of shame in the relationship between both vulnerable and grandiose narcissism and self-harm severity. Methods: We administered Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI), Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA) and Deliberate Self Harm Inventory (DSHI) to a sample of 149 community participants (42% males) with a mean age of 27.55 years (SD=12.3). Results: Controlling for age and gender, we found that DSHI scores correlated significantly with the vulnerable dimension of narcissism but not with the grandiose one. But, both the vulnerable and grandiose dimension of narcissism correlated with interpersonal shame levels. Finally, we found a positive interaction between PNI vulnerable factor and shame levels in predicting Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) severity. Conclusions: Differentiating the grandiose from the vulnerable facet of narcissism appears central when investigating the relationship between NSSI and narcissistic personality. Moreover, our study suggests that shame experiences have a remarkable influence importantly account for this relationship. Future directions and clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords

• non-suicidal self-injury, pathological narcissism, shame, narcissistic vulnerability.