Narcissistic disorders in children: An object relations study.
Item
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Title
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Narcissistic disorders in children: An object relations study.
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Identifier
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AAI9986390
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identifier
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9986390
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Creator
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Weise, Karen Louise.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Steven Tuber
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Date
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2000
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Clinical | Psychology, Personality | Psychology, Developmental
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Abstract
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The aim of this study was to provide empirical backing for the clinical observation that there is evidence of a discrete diagnostic category of narcissistic disorders in children. A Likert scale based on Drew Westen's Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale (SCORS) for the TAT (1985) was used to compare the object representations of two groups of referred latency-aged children---one for whom which narcissistic issues were thought to be primary (based upon DSM IV criteria for NPD in adults). Three of the five dimensions analyzed produced significant results, providing support for the clinical literature, which describes these children as lacking in empathy, struggling with self-esteem regulation and in poor control of their impulses and/or aggression.;The prediction that narcissistic children were more likely to demonstrate a fragmented, or fluctuating, sense of self showed only a trend towards significance and, contrary to predictions, members of the narcissistic group demonstrated a significantly higher investment in relationships. Suggestions for this unpredicted finding were related to both the intense object hunger exhibited by these children, and to some degree of ambiguity in what this particular scale variable was measuring (i.e. quality vs. quantity of relationships). Other unpredicted findings included Group by Gender interactions for self-esteem, with female subjects showing more unevenness based on group membership. Perhaps related were Group by Gender findings on the variable measuring investment in relationships, with female subjects being generally more invested in relationships, but males showing a significant difference depending upon whether they were members of data or clinical control groups.;Overall, this study demonstrated that these children form a cohesive group for which issues around self-esteem, empathy and the management of aggression predominate. Additionally, a tendency to have a vulnerable sense of identity and to be preoccupied with seeking out and developing relationships with others differentiates these children from peers with similar behavioral and diagnostic profiles. Though restrictions included a small sample size (n = 32), and a limited amount of data available for each subject, the significant results obtained have potential implications for the assessment and treatment of narcissistically-disturbed children.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
