Four Narcissistic Profiles Revealed: New Research Maps How Self-Image Masks Hidden Struggles
A large-scale study challenges the idea that narcissists are a single type. Researchers identify four distinct narcissistic profiles, showing that confidence can mask insecurities. Published in the Journal of Research in Personality, the work aims to deepen clinical understanding and improve everyday interactions. Data were collected from more than 50,000 adults across three general-population samples using the Narcissism Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ), which separates narcissism into admiration (self-enhancement) and rivalry (defensive aggression).