Pathological narcissism and loneliness among men: Implications for men's satisfaction with life

Loneliness has been established as a threat to health and well-being, and may be particularly problematic for men due to masculinity norms that emphasize self-reliance. Given the importance of understanding loneliness and its threat to well-being among men, the present study was designed to examine a dispositional risk factor, pathological narcissism, on men's experience of loneliness and reduced satisfaction with life.

An online prospective cohort design was used to examine relations between pathological narcissism, including narcissistic vulnerability and grandiosity, loneliness and life satisfaction.

A sample of men seeking online mental health help was recruited to complete self-report measures regarding pathological narcissism, loneliness and life satisfaction across a six-month period. Linear regression analyses were used to examine men's (N = 319, Mage = 38.85 + 14.39) narcissistic vulnerability and grandiosity in relation to loneliness and to test mediation models whereby loneliness (at 3 months) would mediate the relationship between narcissistic vulnerability (baseline) and life satisfaction (at six months), including variability in the latter by controlling for baseline life satisfaction.

When examined together, only narcissistic vulnerability and not grandiosity was significant in predicting loneliness. Mediation models indicated significant indirect effects of baseline narcissistic vulnerability on life satisfaction at six months-and change in life satisfaction over six months-through the mediating effect of interim loneliness.

Findings indicate narcissistic vulnerability as a significant dispositional factor in men's loneliness, and that such loneliness in turn diminishes men's general well-being.