Emotional Stability, Trust and Sense of Self among Partners of Narcissists
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v6i1.339Keywords:
Emotional Stability, Narcissism, Sense of Self, TrustAbstract
This study aims to investigate narcissist spouses' emotional stability, self-esteem, and trust levels. One hundred married women and one hundred married men made up the total sample size of 200 (N=200). Ames et al. (2006), Rempel et al. (1985), Flury and Ickes (2007), and Goldberg (1992) developed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16, Trust in Close Relationship Scale, and Factor IV Scale of Emotional Stability, respectively, which were employed as research instruments in this study. The wife's trust, emotional stability, and self-esteem were all significantly correlated with her husband's narcissism. Spouses of males who scored high on the narcissism scale had different levels of self-confidence, emotional stability, and trust. The effects of a narcissistic partner's personality on a spouse's emotional stability, trust, and self-esteem can be better understood by the current research findings. In addition, the current research encourages a deeper comprehension of these aspects, which helps narcissistic partners get better insight.
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