Parents may be to blame for narcissistic children: study
Posted March 10, 2015 11:25 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new study suggests parents may be to blame for their offspring becoming narcissistic.
The study finds that narcissistic traits, including a feeling of superiority to others, fantasizing about personal successes, and a belief one deserves special treatment, can develop when parents pass on their inflated views of their children, according to the recently published study.
The study on the origins of narcissism in children, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, says that too much self-esteem can make the little ones have an inflated sense of their own worth. The researchers suggest that rather then telling children they are special, parents should reinforce the idea that they are loved.
One of the study’s co-authors told the New Republic parents should give praise based on behaviour instead of praising the child.
Parents could say “you must have tried really hard,” instead of “you must be really smart,” Brad B
ushman told the magazine. The child will be encouraged to try their best and not be disappointed if they fail.
The study involved 565 children and their parents between the ages of 7 and 12.
Want to see if you over-value your little ones? Take the survey from the study online here.
Why do you think children become narcissistic? Share your thoughts in the comments.
