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“Never Learned to Love Properly”: A Qualitative Study Exploring Romantic Relationship Experiences in Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents

Author

Listed:
  • Minna Lyons

    (School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK)

  • Gayle Brewer

    (School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK)

  • Anna-Maria Hartley

    (School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK)

  • Victoria Blinkhorn

    (School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK)

Abstract

Narcissism is a personality trait characterised by selfishness, coldness, entitlement, and grandiosity. There has been much research on different parenting dimensions and their relationship to narcissism in grown-up children, with a notable lack of studies investigating the influence of narcissistic parents on their children. This study focused on individuals’ experiences in romantic relationships, using personal narratives from a popular ‘Reddit’ community for people who perceived to have grown up with narcissistic parents. Using an inductive thematic analysis on 77 Reddit posts, we identified four themes: (i) Strategies and emotions in current relationships, (ii) behaviours and characteristics of partners and their families, (iii) parent intrusiveness in current relationships, and (iv) journey to realisation and recovery. Themes are discussed in relation to existing literature and theory. We add to the sparse literature on narcissistic parents’ influence in adult relationships, highlighting the importance of process from parental behaviour to adult romantic relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Minna Lyons & Gayle Brewer & Anna-Maria Hartley & Victoria Blinkhorn, 2023. "“Never Learned to Love Properly”: A Qualitative Study Exploring Romantic Relationship Experiences in Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:12:y:2023:i:3:p:159-:d:1090439
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. George R.G. Clarke, 2021. "From the Editor," The International Trade Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(4), pages 309-310, July.
    2. Claire M Kamp Dush & Rachel Arocho & Sara Mernitz & Kyle Bartholomew, 2018. "The intergenerational transmission of partnering," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, November.
    3. George R. G. Clarke, 2021. "From the Editor," The International Trade Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(3), pages 219-220, May.
    4. George R. G. Clarke, 2021. "From the Editor," The International Trade Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(5), pages 411-412, September.
    5. George R.G. Clarke, 2021. "From the Editor," The International Trade Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 1-3, January.
    6. George R.G. Clarke, 2021. "From the Editor," The International Trade Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(6), pages 491-492, November.
    7. George R.G. Clarke, 2021. "From the Editor," The International Trade Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(2), pages 133-134, March.
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