Does Narcissism Run In Families? A Psychologist Weighs In

There are plenty of things that can run in families. From Grandma’s fiery red hair to Uncle Phil’s famous indigestion, family members can share a lot amongst each other. But what if it’s a set of personality traits that isn’t exactly desirable to have, like narcissism? Is narcissism genetic?

A clinical psychologist breaks down whether or not this particular personality disorder, or toxic behavior, runs in families—plus, what common traits to look out for and what to do if there are narcissists in your household or genealogy. 

Related: 10 Red Flags Your Parent Is a Narcissist, According to Therapists

What Is Narcissism?

As clinical psychologist Patty Johnson explains, narcissism is a collection of traits that can cause a person to have an inflated sense of self-importance.

“People with narcissistic traits tend to have grandiose ideas about their abilities, how relevant they are in a situation and how much attention they should be receiving,” she says. “Ironically, however, narcissism is often a way people mask their insecurities, leading to feeling indignant or very shameful.”

Dr. Johnson also points out that narcissism runs on a spectrum, ranging from having one or two traits, such as self-centeredness, to having a personality disorder that negatively impacts relationships due to manipulation and emotional abuse toward others. That means that varying degrees of narcissism can exist within one family.

Related: People Who Grew up With a Narcissistic Parent Usually Develop These 15 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say

Does Narcissism Run in Families?

“Narcissism often runs in families, both due to genetics and family environment,” Dr. Johnson says, adding that when it comes to the genetic component, oxidative stress (the imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants that can lead to cellular damage and disease) is one of the markers observed by researchers while studying narcissism’s biological impact.

“Findings showed those with narcissistic traits tend to have higher levels of oxidative stress in their bloodstream, which indicates the link between emotional stress and its impact on biological functioning,” she says. To break it down, genetics can make a person more susceptible to oxidative stress, which in turn can lead to a narcissistic personality.

Dr. Johnson also shares that one’s environment is a significant factor in the development of narcissism, and may have a larger impact than genetics.

“The influence of environment on personality encompasses both behavioral modeling provided by parents as well as how they relate directly with their children," she explains. "Further, both neglect of a child and conversely, an overly doting parenting style, may lead to an inflated sense of self.”

Related: The Subtle Sign Your Adult Child Is a Narcissist, According to Psychologists

What You Should Do if There Are Narcissists in Your Family

Perhaps you personally don’t exhibit narcissistic traits, but you continually observe narcissistic traits among your family members. And maybe it’s starting to have an effect on your mental health and wellbeing.

“The person on the receiving end of narcissism may feel offended, develop a negative self-view over time and feel guilt and shame for failing to meet the narcissistic person’s standards,” Dr. Johnson says.

That’s why Dr. Johnson stresses the importance of protecting yourself from internalizing negative self-perceptions by being as objective as possible, either within yourself or with a supportive third party. Take a step back and really observe these individuals’ behavior to uncover how to best approach it. But, keep in mind that those with narcissistic traits often take offense to criticism due to underlying shame, and may become defensive.

In general, non-narcissistic family members can remind themselves that the person who is being hurtful is being narcissistic as a way of protecting themselves. “This is not to excuse unhealthy behaviors but to recognize them,” she adds.

If you feel that your narcissistic family member has some level of awareness that they have these negative traits, Dr. Johnson believes that this could be an opportunity “to discuss painful interactions directly.”

“However, this should be done with caution and possibly with another person present in the event the narcissistic person shifts blame,” she explains.

In other words? If you feel safe and secure enough to address a family member’s narcissistic behavior (possibly with a supportive person at your side), it could be a good idea. But if the situation feels unsafe or potentially even dangerous, this is when you need to reevaluate your relationship with this person and distance yourself from them as much as you feasibly can.

Up Next:

Related: 10 Red Flags There's a Narcissist in Your Family, According to Therapists

Sources

• Patty Johnson, clinical psychologist.

• Journal of Personality Disorders: “Narcissistic and Borderline Personality Disorders: Relationship With Oxidative Stress”

• Frontiers in Genetics: “Inside the genome: understanding genetic influences on oxidative stress”