For the development of pathological narcissism, personality traits - partially genetically caused and derived from childhood experiences - play an important role. Current studies on the developmental psychopathology of narcissistic disorders are discussed with reference to the development of the self in children. Different developmental pathways underlie the grandiose (overt) and the vulnerable (covert) type of narcissistic disorders which are shown in 2 possible models. In these models parental admiration and coldness as well as dominant and manipulative behaviour lead to an overt subtype of narcissism, the experience of maltreatment and an increased sensitivity for negative experiences lead to a covert subtype of narcissism.
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