Do Narcissists Become Kinder as They Age? Science Weighs In
If you have ever encountered someone who seems utterly self-absorbed—a friend who monopolizes conversations with boasts, a colleague constantly seeking praise, or a demanding boss—you might wonder: Are they narcissistic for life, or will this behavior fade over time? Groundbreaking research now provides clarity on this pervasive question.
Key Findings from the American Psychological Association Study
According to a comprehensive study published in the journal Psychological Bulletin, narcissists do undergo changes as they age, but the trajectory is more nuanced than a simple mellowing out. The research, led by Ulrich Orth, PhD, of the University of Bern in Switzerland, analyzed data from 51 longitudinal studies involving 37,247 participants aged 8 to 77, with 52% female and 48% male. Most studies were conducted in the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe, with additional data from China and New Zealand.
The findings reveal that narcissistic behavior tends to decline from childhood through adulthood. However, a critical twist emerges: individual differences remain stable over time. This means that a child who exhibits high levels of narcissism compared to peers is likely to remain more self-absorbed than others decades later, even as overall narcissism decreases.
Three Types of Narcissism and Their Age-Related Changes
To better understand these dynamics, researchers examined three distinct types of narcissism:
- Agentic Narcissism: Characterized by feelings of grandiosity, superiority, and a strong need for admiration.
- Antagonistic Narcissism: Marked by arrogance, entitlement, callousness, and low empathy.
- Neurotic Narcissism: Linked to emotional dysregulation and hypersensitivity.
The study found that all three types decline with age, with a small decline in agentic narcissism and a moderate decline in antagonistic and neurotic narcissism. Despite these reductions, an individual's narcissism relative to their peers does not change significantly, suggesting narcissism is a stable personality trait over the lifespan.
Implications and Future Research Directions
Ulrich Orth emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, "High levels of narcissism influence people's lives in many ways, both the lives of the narcissistic individuals themselves and, maybe even more, the lives of their families and friends." The stability of relative narcissism highlights its enduring impact on social relationships and personal well-being.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to explore why narcissism declines with age. One theory posits that adult social roles—such as being a partner, parent, or employee—foster more mature personality characteristics, including reduced narcissism. Orth noted that future studies should expand to a broader range of countries and cultures to validate these findings globally.
This research offers valuable insights for anyone navigating relationships with narcissistic individuals, underscoring that while age may bring some mellowing, core traits often persist, shaping interactions across the years.
