When the Self Feels Threatened: Devaluation Responses in Vulnerable Narcissism, A Case Study

Abstract

This case study attempts to examine vulnerable narcissism through an in depth analy-sis of one adult male participant showing narcissistic traits without a formal clinical di-agnosis. Using a blind assessment approach, the participant completed the Self Con-cept Questionnaire, the Adjustment Inventory, and the Maudsley Personality Inventory, alongside semi structured interviews and behavioral observation, allowing indirect as-sessment of self concept, adjustment, and neuroticism without revealing the study's focus on narcissism. Psychodynamic and behaviorist frameworks were used to trace the participant's developmental history, including sibling comparison, high parental crit-icism, restrictive gender norms modeled within the family, and unmet academic aspira-tions within a competitive Indian secondary education system. Findings revealed a con-sistent pattern of reflexive devaluation in response to even minor perceived threats, fre-quently triggered by unprompted comparisons to others' achievements, alongside marked deficits in empathy and pronounced beliefs about entitlement to power and control. Gender based devaluation emerged as a distinct pattern, linked to the partici-pant's family history. These findings are discussed in relation to the broader literature on vulnerable narcissism, which has been comparatively understudied relative to grandiose narcissism, particularly regarding its expression in everyday, low stakes so-cial interactions rather than major relational threats.