Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Graham, Steven

Second Advisor

Toms, Christina

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

This study examined how narcissistic admiration and rivalry are associated with relationship satisfaction and attachment, and whether these relationships are reflected in communication patterns and maladaptive behaviors. Participants (N = 143) completed measures of narcissism, communication styles, relationship satisfaction, attachment, and conflict behaviors. Results showed that narcissism was not directly associated with relationship satisfaction. However, narcissistic rivalry was significantly related to maladaptive communication patterns and a range of harmful behaviors, including verbal aggression, physical conflict, and coercive behaviors. In turn, these maladaptive communication patterns and behaviors were strongly associated with lower relationship satisfaction and greater attachment insecurity. Regression analyses further indicated that communication variables were the strongest predictors of relationship satisfaction, while narcissism was not significant when these variables were included. These findings suggest that narcissism may influence relationship outcomes indirectly through patterns of communication and behavior rather than through direct effects. Importantly, observable behaviors such as conflict escalation and withdrawal may serve as early warning signs of relational distress. This study highlights the importance of examining behavioral patterns when understanding how personality traits relate to relationship functioning.

Rights

The author has granted New College of Florida the nonexclusive right to archive, make accessible, and distribute for educational purposes this work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The copyright of this work remains with the author.

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