Self-reported narcissistic traits in patients with addiction through the lens of the ICD-11 model for personality disorders

BackgroundThere is a presumption that pathological narcissism, or narcissistic personality disorder per se, can be considered a precursor to addiction. Although the ICD-11 model does not distinguish specific personality disorders, narcissistic psychopathology should be captured through personality trait qualifiers. ObjectivesTo verify the capacity of the ICD-11 model in the detection of narcissistic psychopathology in patients with addiction; to test its discrimination capacity, convergent validity, and specificity toward the gender and the type of addiction. Materials and methodsTwo samples were employed in the study. Sample 1 (n = 421) consisted of patients with addiction; Sample 2 (n = 567) consisted of general population volunteers. Age range was 18-75 years and a battery of self-assessment questionnaires containing Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Form Plus Modified; Triarchic Psychopathy Measure; Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale; and Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Self-Report was administered by pencil-and-paper method. ResultsThe following was confirmed: (1) capacity of the ICD-11 model in relation to capture narcissistic pathology; (2) the differentiation capacity between the clinical and non-clinical population; (3) gender specificity in relation to grandiose and vulnerable narcissism; (4) the connection between the overall degree of impairment in personality functioning and most of trait qualifiers; (5) certain specifics of patients with addiction in relation to the type of addiction. ConclusionResults support the empirical and clinical relevance of the ICD-11 model in capturing narcissistic pathology in addicted patients. Clinical implications concerning assessment and treatment in addiction settings, and certain limits regarding the Anankastia domain are discussed.

Automated summary

This study verifies the ability of the ICD-11 model to detect narcissistic pathology in addicted patients and confirms its differentiation capacity between clinical and non-clinical populations. The gender specificity related to gender and type of addiction and the associations between certain trait qualifiers and the overall degree of impairment in personality functioning are also confirmed.