University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 5-2016 Developmental Traits and Patterns Emerging from Dependent Nurturing Individuals in Narcissistic Relationship Gregory D. Roberts University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Counseling Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, and the Personality and Social Contexts Commons Recommended Citation Roberts, Gregory D., "Developmental Traits and Patterns Emerging from Dependent Nurturing Individuals in Narcissistic Relationship" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 1583. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1583 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Developmental Traits and Patterns Emerging from Dependent Nurturing Individuals in Narcissistic Relationship A dissertation proposal submitted in partial fulfilment Of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education by Gregory D. Roberts University of Arkansas Bachelor of Arts, 1977 Oklahoma State University Master of Science Applied Behavioral Studies, 1997 May 2016 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation. ______________________________ Dr. Kristin Higgins Dissertation Director ______________________________ _____________________________ Dr. Roy Farley Dr. Kate Mamiseishvili Committee Member Committee Member ______________________________ Dr. Mary Ramey Committee Member ABSTRACT The concept of personality theories and personality disorders has developed in modern times from deep roots in philosophy and psychodynamic theory. This theory orientation has evolved to diagnostic and treatment application. Much of the literature has focused on personality disorders as independent and singular constructs. Phenomenological discussions and deeper understandings of dysfunctional relationships between the two specific disorders of dependent personality and narcissistic personality are lacking. Significant longsuffering, abusive, and pathological behaviors at times are observed among dependent personality types in bad relationships. The objective of this study was to gather data from a sample of dependent types to discover and reference their developmental traits, their self-awareness, and their awareness of their partner. The search was for important indicators of unhealthy relationship potential which may have existed from the relationship beginning. The study was specific to dependent individuals who experienced intimate relationships with narcissistic personality types. © by Gregory D. Roberts 2016 All Rights Reserved ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation is dedicated to a great first grade teacher from a very long time ago, to a great high school grammarian and literary teacher, to a great professor in graduate school who taught me that clinical evaluation is often a moment when we are in the presence of another human being and we feel a yuk in our gut and to know that the yuk means something. And this work is dedicated to a comrade of psychologists who made me appreciate more the power of quantitative data, and to another group of graduate school professors who taught me that qualitative data collection is a valid, trustworthy, and necessary domain. And this dissertation is dedicated to a wife and family who allowed me to become a better scientist and counselor when often it was too much on their time. I believe that some of us have great ideas from simple observation, and some of us have the ability to ask great research questions, and some of us have a nagging itch to read and to deeply engage in the gathering and consuming of research. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 1 Organization of Chapter One . 1 Background of the Research Topic . 2 Effects of Narcissistic Personality Relationships . 3 Heritability: Nature versus Nature of Personality . 6 Statement of the Problem . 7 Purpose . 8 Research Question . 10 Significance of the Study . 11 Conceptual Design of the Study . 12 Theoretical Sensitivity . 12 Professional Experience of the Researcher . 13 Personal Experience of the Researcher . 14 Knowledge of the Literature . 16 Analytic Rigor . 17 Parameters of the Study . 17 Definition of Terms . 18 Limitations of the Study . 21 Summary of Chapter One . 22 Organization of the Dissertation . 23 II. CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE . 24 Organization of Chapter Two . 24 Search Strategy . 24 Introduction of Chapter Two . 25 Concepts of Narcissism and Psychological Energy . 29 Narcissistic Wound and Fatal Attraction . 30 History of Narcissism and Dependency in Psychodynamic Theory . 33 Assortative Mating and Pathological Relationship . 36 Dependent Personality Types and Diagnostic Criterion . 37 Cultural Considerations for the Research . 41 Psychodynamic Theory Framing for the Study . 43 Multiple Conceptual Views of Dependency and Narcissism . 44 Additional Issues and Concepts of Developmental Etiology for Personality . 47 Narcissism as Mentality . 49 Masterson’s Closes Narcissism Theory . 51 The Dark Triad and the Self Triad . 53 Modern Applications . 53 Chapter Two Summary . 55 III. CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY . 56 Organization of the Chapter . 56 Introduction of Chapter Three . 56 Focus of Research . 57 Research Question . 58 Theoretical Framework . 58 Research Design . 59 Sequence Timeline . 61 Site and Sample . 62 Criterion for Inclusion . 62 Participants . 62 Research Ethics . 64 Breadth and Depth of the Research . 65 Data Collection . 65 Observations . 65 Document Collections . 66 Researcher’s Role in Management . 66 Managing and Recording Data . 67 Trustworthiness . 68 Prolonged Engagement . 68 Persistent Engagement . 69 Triangulation . 70 Member Checks . 71 Peer De-briefing . 71 Audit Trail . ..