Work

Only the weak need help? The role of narcissistic rivalry in attitudes toward psychological help

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Individual narcissism has previously been linked to a range of maladaptive individual- and group-level outcomes. In the present research, we examined links between narcissistic facets, cold feelings toward mental health professionals and attitudes toward psychological help. We propose that narcissistic rivalry (i.e., antagonistic strategy aimed at protecting a grandiose self-view through the devaluation of others) - rather than narcissistic admiration (i.e., self-promotional strategy aimed at gaining social approval) would be linked to colder feelings toward psychological help. Across three studies conducted among Polish (Study 1, N = 1622 and Study 3, N = 647) and American (Study 2, N = 556) participants, we found that narcissistic rivalry, but not admiration, was associated with less favorable attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Study 2 showed that this association was statistically accounted for by cold feelings toward mental health professionals, but not toward individuals diagnosed with mental disorders. Study 3 conceptually showed a similar pattern, demonstrating that narcissistic rivalry was related to cold feelings toward mental health specialists more broadly (i.e., psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists), which in turn predicted lower positive attitudes toward psychological help. Overall, our findings suggest that narcissistic rivalry may represent a psychological barrier to help-seeking.

Source: Personality and Individual Differences

DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2026.113903

Authors: Marta Rogoza, Marta Marchlewska, Zuzanna Molenda, Dominika Adamczyk

Institutions: Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Personality Traits and Psychology

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,170