Narcissism in children may be shaped more by genetics than parenting.
Parenting has little impact on narcissistic traits in children
The personality trait, typically defined by a sense of entitlement, a desire for admiration and a drive for social status, has long been linked to family upbringing.
A large-scale study has found that narcissistic traits are largely inherited rather than learned through upbringing, challenging long-held beliefs that parenting style plays a key role in developing the personality trait.
Researchers analysing data from more than 6,700 people, including twins and their families, found that around half of the differences in narcissism could be explained by genetic factors, with the remaining variation linked to individual life experiences rather than the shared family environment.
The findings suggest that common parenting approaches, such as overpraising children or emotional distance, may have far less influence on narcissistic development than previously thought.
While narcissism can be linked to early success in leadership or relationships, it is also associated with conflict, risky behaviour and long-term interpersonal difficulties.
The study, led by psychologist Mitja Back at the University of Münster, used data from the German TwinLife project to compare personality traits among identical twins, fraternal twins, siblings and parents.
By analysing similarities across different family relationships, researchers were able to separate the influence of genetics from environmental factors such as parenting style, household conditions and shared experiences.
The results showed that the shared family environment - including parenting methods - had little to no measurable impact on levels of narcissism.
Instead, differences between individuals were largely explained by genetic inheritance and what researchers describe as “nonshared environments”, including peer groups, personal relationships and individual life events.
Researchers also found that parents with similar levels of narcissism were more likely to form relationships, a pattern known as assortative mating, which may increase the likelihood of children inheriting related traits.
The findings remained consistent across different age groups, from adolescence into early adulthood.
Researchers say the results could shift how experts approach parenting advice and psychological support, with greater focus needed on individual experiences outside the home rather than solely on family dynamics.