The Alleged Epidemic of Social Narcissism

Abstract

Research indicates that narcissistic personality disorder and subclinical narcissism may be reaching epidemic proportions within American society. It is thus probable that nursing administrators will encounter narcissistic behavior among their staff, supervisors, and/or patients and patient family members. It is therefore crucial that nurse leaders understand the causes of narcissism and how narcissistic behaviors might be addressed within health care settings. An awareness of these issues can help decrease the damage that narcissistic behaviors can have on individuals and institutions.

Dysregulation of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor–Cholesterol Crosstalk in Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Chronic nicotine treatment during the first postnatal week increases excitatory GABAergic signaling in males to a greater extent than in females (Damborsky and Winzer-Serhan, 2012). This sex-specific susceptibility may be related to the fact that the GABAergic system matures earlier in females than in males (Nuñez and McCarthy, 2007;Galanopoulou, 2008). It is therefore highly probable that a variety of conditions impact GABAergic transmission leading to sex-specific developmental outcomes.…”

Pathological narcissism, interpersonal cognitive distortions, and workplace bullying among nurses: A cross‐sectional study

“…Increased awareness of narcissism is necessary to reduce its harmful effects on individuals and institutions (Mortell, 2022) and proactively manage areas that have been revealed as especially vulnerable.…”

“…Although nurses' pathological narcissism was observed to be the most potent predictor of workplace bullying, such findings should never be used to place blame on a nurse who has become a victimized target (Homayuni et al, 2021). Increased awareness of narcissism is necessary to reduce its harmful effects on individuals and institutions (Mortell, 2022) and proactively manage areas that have been revealed as especially vulnerable. Nurses with such traits should be protected from exposure to workplace bullying, antibullying policies must be supplemented, and intervention strategies must be established that help nurses recognize and improve narcissistic behaviours.…”

“…Narcissism can be further divided into subclinical narcissism (normal narcissism) and pathological narcissism, which causes maladaptation in daily life (Kjaervik & Bushman, 2021). Within the modern-day nursing profession, where social narcissism is prevalent, nurses may encounter patients, caregivers, and other nurses who demonstrate subclinical or pathological narcissism (Mortell, 2022). Indeed, although health care professionals exhibit lower levels of pathological personality traits such as narcissism compared with the general population (Bucknall et al, 2015), nurses should be aware of and take action against narcissistic behaviour to minimize its harmful effects on individuals and institutions (Mortell, 2022).…”