Narcissism and Eating Characteristics in Young Nonclinical Women

The aim of this study was to determine the potential relationship among borderline personality disorder traits, specific aspects of narcissism, and different elements of eating pathology. Fifty-two nonclinical female participants completed standardized measures of narcissism, borderline personality disorder traits, and eating pathology. Data were analyzed using correlations. Specific associations were found, suggesting that different elements of narcissism are linked with different eating characteristics. Bulimic attitudes were linked with narcissistic personality disorder and borderline personality disorder traits. In contrast, restrictive eating attitudes and a low body mass index were associated with a repressed form of narcissism (which involves putting others’ needs before oneʼs own). If these findings are replicated in a clinical group, treatment of restrictive and bulimic cases might need to address different personality features.