The dark side of perfect love: a romantic relationship with a narcissist

- Корольов, Д.К. (orcid.org/0000-0002-9685-5286) (2023) The dark side of perfect love: a romantic relationship with a narcissist Український психологічний журнал, 1 (19). pp. 82-97. ISSN 2520-6265

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Abstract

Using traditional clinical approaches and the results of extensive statistical researches of recent years, the author comprehensively analyzed the development and the functioning of a romantic relationship with a narcissist. Love is one of the most popular means providing narcissistic aspirations. Probably, this way is chosen by individuals with the appropriate potential (attractiveness, charm, sexually inviting behavior) to satisfy their own narcissism. It is relatively easy to achieve an idealization from a romantic partner, her/his emotional dependence and power over him/her. Such perspectives create hope for a narcissist to transform his/her life by filling him/herself with the love of the partner, which should compensate childhood emotional traumas and reinforce the narcissist's extremely inflated but fragile self-esteem. Narcissists are extremely successful in the relationship initiation and its initial phase, creating an impression of ideal love. However, they experience significant problems in the later stages of relationship development. They do not want to build a partnership at all, always remain opened to new relationships. When it is no longer possible to increase admiration by his/her partner, they switch to the strategy of rivalry. Through the use of various forms of abuse, exploitation and infidelity, the narcissist strengthens his/her self-esteem, feeling power over his/her partner and her/his emotional dependence. This causes the partner's emotional injuries, who over time also begins to reject and avoid the narcissist. The consequences for the narcissist are: reduced quality of life, low relationship satisfaction and feelings of loneliness. But since narcissism is largely determined genetically, by a history of significant relationships in childhood and provides partially successful adaptation, the prospects for changing the narcissistic style of romantic relationships through psychotherapy are pessimistic. However, psychological help is necessary and effective for a narcissist's romantic partner.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	personality, personality traits, narcissism, romantic relationships, love, emotional difficulties, personality disorder, psychological help.
Subjects:	Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 1 Philosophy. Psychology
Divisions:	Institute of Psychology after N.Kostiuk > Department of psychology of giftedness
Depositing User:	провідний науковий співробітник Дмитро Костянтинович Корольов
Date Deposited:	14 Aug 2026 18:32
Last Modified:	14 Aug 2026 18:32
URI:	https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/750108

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