First Advisor

Dr. Marcus Sharpe

Date of Award

Spring 6-13-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology and University Honors

Department

Psychology

Language

English

Subjects

narcissistic personality disorder, Stigma, Shame, Cluster B, Stigmatization, personality disorder

Abstract

This thesis is a literature review of 12 peer reviewed journal articles accessible through the Portland State University library database on the relationship between stigma, shame, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). This thesis discusses ideas brought up in these articles regarding the classification and conceptualization of NPD as a disorder, the role that shame plays in the pathology of NPD, the ways that shame is addressed through treatment, and public and practitioner held bias resulting from the stigmatization of the disorder. New and upcoming ways of conceptualizing the disorder are also briefly discussed as there has been a push to incorporate a more integrated, spectrum model of presentation, reflecting a new understanding of NPD that accounts for the roles that shame and stigmatization play in the pathology and treatment of the disorder.

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