Narcissism, Intrinsic & Extrinsic Romantic Ideals & Relationship Satisfaction

Narcissists are attracted to highly positive, rather than communal, romantic partners, but the literature has not examined how obtaining these desired traits affects relationship satisfaction. 

A total of 206 participants completed a survey assessing narcissism and ideal partner standards. A subset of 143 romantically involved participants completed assessments of their current partners and relationships. 

Narcissism was positively associated with extrinsic (attractive and successful) ideal standards and was negatively associated with intrinsic standards (warmth and intimacy) when controlling for extrinsic ideals. Relationships meeting extrinsic ideals were more satisfying for narcissists, but not non-narcissists. Relationships meeting intrinsic ideals were more satisfying for all participants, especially those low in narcissism. 

The effect for extrinsic traits was driven by Entitlement/Exploitativeness and Grandiose Exhibitionism, and the effect for intrinsic traits was driven by Entitlement/Exploitativeness.

Purchase full article at:  http://goo.gl/XNc5OK

By:  Gwendolyn Seidman⇑

Albright College, USA

Gwendolyn Seidman, Department of Psychology, Albright College, 13th and Bern Streets, Reading, PA 19612, USA. Email: gseidman@albright.edu

 

More at:  https://twitter.com/hiv_insight

And: http://twitter.com/Prison_Health