Introduction
Studies describe the phenomenon of narcissism’s growth in modern societies (Lasch, 1979). It brings the question of narcissism’s effect on family life as well as youth empire. The consideration of “narcissism as a personality construct” (Kohut, 1971) by theorists further exhibits the integration work that needs to be done, as narcissism can be harmful to children amidst the parenting process. Miller et al.’s (2017) researches identify the complexity behind narcissism, suggesting different subtypes, such as grandiose and vulnerable. Each of these variants has an impact on parenting and, consequently, the adolescents’ progress. Wrapping this up, Twenge and Campbell (2009) suggest that cultural reorientation towards individualism and the focus on self-esteem in parenting partly creates narcissistic traits in them, which inadvertently influences the development of adolescent children.
In the shaping of an adolescent personality, the tendency of narcissistic parents to lack empathy and emotional support can be extensively damaging to their self-esteem, relationship with others and mental health (Steinberg, 2001). This review aims to synthesize findings from the core literature, including Valkenburg, Peter, and Schouten (2006), who explore whether Internet use facilitates narcissism among the youths and how this affects their well-being. The in-depth analysis that is being conducted in this review intends to shine a light on the various ways narcissism manifests in parenting, even in teenagers, equipping families with necessary strategies for managing challenges of this nature.
Narcissistic Traits and Parenting
Narcissism in parents is highlighted as one of the significant factors contributing to adolescents’ healthy emotional and psychological well-being by van Schie et al. (2020). The study uncovers the mechanisms that narcissistic parenting styles based on narcissistic elements are the key to adolescent maladaptive behaviours and emotional dysfunction. Narcissistic parents, as individuals who are usually self-centred and empathy-deficient, feel quite unable to provide emotional backing and support during the adolescent years when their children need this the most. This leads not only to a neglect of psychological development but also a situation in which adolescents try to build their self-esteem in a pattern in which their self-worth depends on the unrealistic expectations of their parents. The research “liquidates” the importance of thoroughly understanding the intricate links between narcissistic parenting and adolescent well-being, recommending targeted interventions to lower such negative effects.
Under Farzand, Cerkez and Baysen (2021), the investigators pointed to the self-concept role as the middleman between how adolescents and their parents are perceived and narcissism. Teens who perceive their parents as narcissists are shown to be likely to take on a distorted self-perspective, one where their identity and self-worth are based mainly on getting the conditional love and approval of their parents. This all-encompassing distorted self-view becomes a narcissistic trait’s fertile ground. Thus, the continuation of the narcissism cycle is made possible. The investigation underlines the mediating nature of the self-evaluation through which narcissistic traits are transmitted. The study suggests that cultivating a constructive and positive self-concept in adolescents may be the preventive strategy to avoid the development of narcissism.
The empirical studies on narcissistic traits and parenting expose a complex way in which parental narcissism, adolescent self-esteem, and mental health outcomes interact. The lack of emotional warmth that narcissistic parents create during adolescence brings about a lot of developmental challenges involving abnormally high levels of depression and anxiety, along with an unusual inability to communicate and get along with other people. These findings not only reveal the clear negative consequences of narcissistic upbringing on the emotional state of teenagers but also suggest the urgent necessity for early intervention and support for families with such problems. Through regulating the causes of narcissistic mothering and therapeutic aid, the future of the narcissism cycle could be broken and healthy parent-child relationships fostered.
Additionally, the research body reveals the very essence of how parental perception affects the teen’s outlook. Adolescents’ perception of their parents’ narcissistic traits not only has an immediate effect on their emotional state but also has a long-term impact on their psychological development and social functioning. This point suggests that efforts to undo the negative effects of narcissistic parenting should not only address parental behaviours but also examine how teens interpret and react to such behaviours. By teaching adolescents to evaluate their environment critically and react to it constructively, the harmful impacts of narcissistic parenting can be reduced. At the same time, the youth are taught to become resilient and grow into healthy individuals.
The Role of Narcissism in Adolescent Identity Formation
In line with Ojanen and Findley-Van Nostrand’s (2020) notion, adolescent identity development is an essential phase of growth that is greatly affected by parental narcissism during this period. The study underlines how narcissistic parents often want to relive their own lives through their children, moulding their goals, expectations, and even choices to fulfil the parent’s untapped dreams and disappointments. This can prevent young people from being self-reliant and stop them from enjoying varied ideas and interests. As a result, teenagers who come from narcissistic parents may find it hard to develop a single sense of self that differs from themselves, and instead, their identity will become a part of their fulfilment of their parents’ expectations rather than authentic self-discovery.
Furthermore, narcissistic parents very often use manipulative ways to keep control of their children, which is even more difficult in the formation of teenage identity. Among the strategies used, they will usually feel guilty and ashamed because of the intense need to win their parents’ approval. Therefore, teens might take in the notion that worthiness is dependent on covering the baseless criteria established by their narcissistic parents, and this prevents them from having the ability to tell others about their preferences, morals, and hopes. Therefore, since autonomy and self-expression have become highly vulnerable to anxiety and doubt, the progression towards a secure and well-developed individuality has slowed down.
In addition, the powerful effects of narcissistic parenting on the identity formation of adolescents are also linked with the ways social interactions and relationships have been affected. Adolescents who grow up in a narcissistic home may have a hard time developing healthy and sincere relations with peers because their self-worth becomes shaped by the opposition of the parent’s demands and the approval that’s based on the conditional factor. The emotional withdrawal and separation caused by this social isolation and disconnection worsen the feelings of aloneness and uncertainty, making it hard for adolescents to manage their peer relationships and feel a sense of belonging and freedom outside the family environs.
Effects on Self-esteem
As indicated by Twenge and Campbell (2007), narcissistic parents play a key role in shaping the degree of self-confidence of adolescents because of the parent’s self-centred approach that reflects conditional values. The outcome of adolescents whose parents are narcissistic may be that they face a great challenge of developing a healthy self-esteem disconnected from external validation and accomplishments because the latter becomes an integral part of their identity and the approval of their parents. This, in turn, can generate a loop of validation needs from external sources instead of developing self-confidence which would be internally generated.
In a family environment that involves narcissistic parenting, unconditional love and emotional support are usually lacking; this confidentiality is noted by Bushman (1998). In this case, teenagers tend to equate their worth with the pressure to meet their parents’ expectations or achieve success, thus making them highly susceptible to having a fragile kind of self-confidence that takes a hit when things do not go as planned or are criticized. Not having true emotional support can drive them to think that they are unworthy or unlovable, which makes their negative thoughts persist, creating an inferiority complex and low esteem.
Kernberg’s (1984) stipulation shows that narcissistic parents’ behaviour may hurt adolescents’ emotional development when it comes to dismissing, in fact, their feelings or invalidating them. Young teens living with a narcissistic parent can often have difficulty trusting or believing in their feelings and emotions, as these are usually ignored or not taken seriously by the parent. This absence of emotional support can lead to the devaluation of self-esteem, which is followed by a feeling of disconnection between self and one’s emotions and, eventually, the feeling of valuelessness as an individual.
Michael (2007) explains that the competitive environment established by narcissistic parents increases the feeling of inadequacy and loneliness among siblings, hence intensifying the sentiments of low self-esteem of teenagers. Sibling rivalry and an urge to seek the parents’ approval can often result in a chilly atmosphere where teens no longer feel they are loved and appreciated, so they end up feeling more anxious and depressed whenever their identity is questioned. This progression could end up in a loop where one is continually seeking external validation as a surrogate for the emptiness left by narcissistic parents, which brings the matter of self-esteem development issues to the forefront.
Conversely, Neff and McGehee (2010) suggest that resilience and authentic self-esteem can be nurtured through connections outside the family, participation in activities that provide a sense of competence and autonomy, as well as targeted intervention focused on addressing the specific problems posed by narcissistic parents. Cognitive-behavioural strategies, mindfulness practices, and family therapies can offer adolescents with required instruments and aid to fight negative self-beliefs, provoke self-kindness, and build healthy patterns of communication and emotional support. Narcissistic parents’ dynamics can be addressed, and teenagers can start a soul-searching and self-healing journey, rediscovering their self-worth and ownership on the way.
Mental Health
As Miller writes (2017), a narcissistic parent during the adolescent phase makes a child lose their mental health. With narcissistic parents being very demanding where they always put their needs on top of their children, the children inadvertently receive feelings of neglect and worthlessness. Lack of emotional support and approval, especially during this specific growth period, can lead to permanent psychological effects, which confirms that it should not be taken for granted family dynamics in children’s lives.
Narcissistic parenting, as demonstrated by Leggio (2018), further proves the harmful consequences it can have on adolescent mental health. The research points out that the adults who have gone through such caregiving were predisposed to depression, and their self-esteem levels were low. Such proofs are testimony to the fact that narcissistic upbringing can result in negative and long-lasting emotional and psychological effects in children who are now adults. These results highlight the importance of education and intervention when narcissistic behaviours may destabilize the mental health of children.
Leggio (2018) draws attention to the complex relationship between the narcissism of parents and that of their children, indicating that the conduct and the demands of parents can determine the self-concept and the well-being of their offspring. Teenagers looking for acceptance and support from people like them often have to deal with a kind of love-hate attitude towards their parents, which is usually the reason for their stress and emotional tension. The study’s results reveal the intricacy and intensity of the parent-child link in a narcissistic parenting context, and it’s a debilitating problem for adolescent mental health.
Locket (2024) shows how raising kids under narcissistic parents can cause severe mental health issues, which include anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The workload and emotional impact of striving to match a narcissistic parent’s unattainable expectations can, in time, lead to severe mental health problems. So, this connection emphasizes the long-term emotional wounds left by narcissistic parenting and the necessity of detecting and treating the psychological stress children experience under these assemblies.
The research collectively indicates the huge mental health problems faced by teens growing up in the world of narcissistic parenting. The consequences of narcissistic parents, who tend to emotionally neglect and provide only conditional affection, could manifest several mental health issues that need to be addressed with sensitivity and understanding. Being aware of the symptoms of narcissistic parenting and relieving the traumatic outcomes of this kind of upbringing by providing proper therapy is the right thing to do. Consequently, it will benefit the family’s welfare and the adolescents’ mental development.
Social Relationships
As per the findings of Mahoney (2016), narcissistic traits of the parent are the root cause of the inability of adolescents to take part in healthy social relationships. Defining themselves as too self-involved and unforgiving, narcissistic parents ignore, often not understanding and nurturing, their children’s personalities and emotional requirements. The inadequacy of such validation and support soil the confidence in their abilities and twists their view of actual healthy relationships. In the eyes of these youth, they are merely the replicas of their parents, whose relationships are mostly transactional, where they constantly seek personal achievement and validation beyond their social interaction with peers. At the core of this deformity lies the idea of relationships, which promotes isolation, and the victim here is a teenager whose sense of self-esteem is seriously hampered as he or she finds it difficult to build meaningful relationships.
Based on Mahoney’s observations, another researcher, Horne (1998), focused on the social and emotional skills affected in adolescents by narcissistic parents. The study underlines that youth with these tendencies manifest a kind of pseudo-empathy where heightened sensitivity to others’ emotions comes into being as a rescue mechanism for those on the verge of experiencing dangerous disturbances in their emotional stability. On the other hand, this perversive form of empathy, rather than being inventive, creates a hurdle to social life. Adolescents can start to passively conform, ignore themselves, and be after others while unconsciously picking up their parents’ non-honest behaviour, thus creating dysfunctional patterns of relationships. Such ambiguity makes it challenging for them to manoeuvre social circles, along with their struggle of being liked but not being in conflict; this often leads to strained relationships between one another and a compromised self-image and identity.
Jointly, Mahoney (2016) and Horne (1998) accentuate the dramatic influence of parental narcissism on adolescent social development. The ongoing dismissal being faced within the home system not only weakens the self-worth of adolescents but also crucially limits their ability to develop trust, intimacy and boundaries for healthy relationships. Oftentimes, the youth is trapped in a continuous pursuit of unobtainable love and approval from their parental figures. Therefore, these teenagers tend to get into relationships that mirror the unconditional love and affection they have grown accustomed to. Such continuation of broken relationship patterns generates low self-esteem and loneliness, making them incapable of cultivating real and supportive relationships. Acknowledging these problems is a fundamental step for caring individuals, including educators and therapists, who can greatly influence this process. By using therapeutic approaches to repair the injured self-image and relationship patterns, it is possible to restore and create healthy interpersonal relationships for teenagers subjected to parental narcissism.
Coping Mechanisms and Resilience in Adolescents with Narcissistic Parents
According to Määttä et al. (2020), resilience in adolescents whom narcissistic parents have raised manifests through a unique perception of overcoming a harsh upbringing. These adolescents often recount the transformative journey from being under the control of a narcissistic parent to recognizing and mitigating the internalized voice of criticism and manipulation. This phenomenon indicates the development of an internal coping mechanism where adolescents learn to distance themselves from the detrimental narrative imposed by their parents. The study highlights how resilience does not necessarily mean the absence of the narcissistic parent’s influence but represents an ongoing process of acknowledging its presence and actively choosing not to let it control one’s actions or thoughts.
Marčinko et al. (2020) emphasize the significant role of external support systems and therapeutic interventions in fostering resilience among adolescents with narcissistic parents. Therapy provides a confidential and supportive environment where these adolescents can explore their emotions, understand the impact of their upbringing, and develop effective coping strategies to navigate their complex parental relationship. This external validation and support are crucial in counteracting the lack of empathy and understanding they experience at home, allowing adolescents to rebuild their self-esteem and foster a healthier sense of self.
Furthermore, engagement in extracurricular activities emerges as a vital resilience strategy for adolescents dealing with narcissistic parental influence. These activities offer an avenue for self-expression and identity exploration that is often stifled within their home environment. Through participation in sports, arts, or other interests, adolescents find a sense of accomplishment and belonging that narcissistic parents typically fail to provide. This involvement nurtures their talents and passions and builds a community of peers and mentors who appreciate and validate their efforts, contributing significantly to their emotional well-being and self-worth.
In coping with the adversity of a narcissistic upbringing, adolescents also tend to seek out and form bonds with non-parental adults who offer the empathy, guidance, and validation missing from their relationships with their parents. These supportive relationships, whether with teachers, coaches, or family friends, play a pivotal role in adolescents’ resilience by modelling healthy interpersonal dynamics and providing a contrast to the manipulative and self-centred behaviour exhibited by their narcissistic parents. Such positive interactions help adolescents recognize their inherent value and capabilities, encouraging a departure from the cycle of narcissism and fostering a journey towards healing and self-discovery.
Conclusion
The story of Mahoney (2016) and Horne (1998) makes us notice the damage that parental narcissism can bring to teenagers’ social development, and we realize the complexity of parent-child relationships within narcissistic families. Both authors conclude that in narcissistic parents who display negative traits, emotional neglect and disregard for their children, the ability of young people to have healthy, long-lasting relationships is damaged. Mahoney draws attention to the eradication of the youngling’s identity as a consequence of the parents’ selfish actions, leaving the child with the feeling of loneliness and perceiving the interactions as fictional. Unlike her, Horn develops multi-layered effects on the socio-emotional aspects of youth, such as the pseudo-empathy that has a tendency to impede interpersonal interactions and relationships as a whole. The combination of these several studies points out the great importance that should be given to interventions and mechanisms of care that are aimed at balancing the damage caused by the emotional injuries produced by narcissistic parenting. Through the treatment of the primary problems of damaged self-esteem, distorted empathy, and external validation search, therapeutic strategies being applied can help adolescents regain their self-value and practice authentic, fulfilling relationships, which, in the long run, makes the break for future generations.
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