Social Work as a Supplementary Treatment Option for Narcissistic Personality Disorders

This paper discusses selected scientific aspects of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The main purpose of this research paper is to examine the extent to which patients with Narcissistic Personality Disorder can be supported and treated within the framework of social work-based community psychiatry. To this end, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders will be used to address the problem of invisible distress and the difficulties of differential diagnosis. Furthermore, psychodynamic and behavioural treatment calculations are outlined. Based on this, differentiated and systematised considerations on concrete possibilities for social work-community psychiatric activities are made. In doing so, a model was developed which can guarantee a solid and goal-oriented orientation on the basis of the lifeworld of patients with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Finally, possible problems in the effectiveness of social work in the context of Narcissistic Personality Disorder are discussed. The article is presented in the following order: Introduction and problem statement, Theoretical classification and research question, Methodological approach and model, Discussion and conclusions, and Limitations and directions for further research. The findings of this article may be useful for psychologists and social workers to identify and harness the potential of social work as a supplementary treatment option for Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

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Female Narcissism: Assessment, Aetiology, and Behavioural Manifestations

Psychological Reports ◽

10.1177/00332941211027322 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003329412110273

Author(s):

Ava Green ◽

Rory MacLean ◽

Kathy Charles

Keyword(s):

Personality Disorder ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Narcissistic Personality Disorder ◽

Empirical Literature ◽

Statistical Manual ◽

Masculine Norms ◽

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

Narcissistic Personality

Despite putative gender differences in the expression of narcissism, prominent theories have virtually dismissed the role of females in the development and manifestation of narcissism. The contention that narcissism is a pathology of the self that may partly differ in males and females is further evident in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 reports that up to 75% of those diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) are men. Such figures suggest that the representation of narcissism as codified in the DSM-5 may only be marginally applicable to females, given its prominent focus and nature on capturing grandiose themes which closely resemble commonly masculine norms. The overemphasis on grandiose features extends to the empirical literature which defines narcissism as a normative personality trait and is widely assessed using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), on which males obtain significantly higher scores than females. As this review will demonstrate, one limitation frequently occurring in the literature is the attempt to comprehend narcissistic manifestations in females through the lens of what has commonly been defined as narcissism (DSM/NPI). In this review, the literature concerning the diagnostic assessment and conceptualization of narcissistic personality disorder, etiological factors, aggression, and partner violence perpetration will be discussed in relation to the importance of gender. This is followed by a review of existing gaps in theory and research, and suggestions for fruitful directions that can aid a richer and more meaningful literature on narcissism inclusive of gender issues.

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An examination of the factor structure of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, narcissistic personality disorder criteria: one or two factors?

Comprehensive Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.comppsych.2007.08.012 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 141-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Joshua D. Miller ◽

Brian J. Hoffman ◽

W. Keith Campbell ◽

Paul A. Pilkonis

Keyword(s):

Personality Disorder ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Narcissistic Personality Disorder ◽

Fourth Edition ◽

Statistical Manual ◽

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽

Narcissistic Personality ◽

Two Factors

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Use of the MMPI-2 Personality Disorder Scales in the Assessment of DSM-IV Antisocial, Borderline, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders

Assessment ◽

10.1177/107319119700400205 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 155-168 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Frank D. Castlebury ◽

Mark J. Hilsenroth ◽

Leonard Handler ◽

Thomas W. Durham

Keyword(s):

Personality Disorder ◽

Personality Disorders ◽

Narcissistic Personality Disorder ◽

Diagnostic Efficiency ◽

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽

Narcissistic Personality ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Cluster B Personality Disorders ◽

Dsm Iv ◽

Personality Disorder Scales

This study explored the diagnostic utility of the MMPI-2 Personality Disorder (MMPI-2 PD) scales to correctly classify three Cluster B Personality Disorders (Antisocial, Borderline, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder). Classification was compared against the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) chart diagnoses checked for interrater agreement. MMPI-2 PD scale scores for 53 outpatients diagnosed with a Cluster B Personality Disorder were contrasted with an Other Personality Disorder group ( n = 20) and a nonclinical population ( n = 67). Scores for both the overlapping and nonoverlapping scales of the MMPI-2 PD scales were used in calculating diagnostic efficiency statistics. In support of past findings, results suggest the MMPI-2 PD scales should be used conservatively; they are best at screening for presence or absence of a personality disorder, identifying members of personality disorder clusters, and identifying negative occurrences of specific personality disorders or personality disorder clusters. Findings endorse the use of both versions of the Antisocial Personality Disorder scale and the overlapping version of the Borderline Personality Disorder scale. Use of the Narcissistic Personality Disorder scales is recommended for negative predictive power values only. A multimodal approach is recommended, whereby assessment measures may be used conjointly to improve diagnostic efficiency.

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