A Phenomenological Study of Adult Children’s Lived Experiences with Narcissistic Parents
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Objective: This study explored the lived experiences of adult children raised by narcissistic parents, aiming to illuminate the long-term psychological and relational effects of narcissistic parenting.
Methods and Materials: A qualitative design based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 adult participants (aged 26–42) who self-identified as having been raised by at least one narcissistic parent. Data were analyzed using the six-step IPA framework to extract emergent and superordinate themes.
Findings: Six superordinate themes emerged: (1) Identity in the Shadow of the Parent, (2) Sibling Relationships under Narcissistic Mirroring, (3) Emotional Disconnection and Coping in Silence, (4) Control and Ongoing Parental Intrusion in Adulthood, (5) Reclaiming the Self in Adulthood, and (6) Social and Occupational Impact. Participants reported enduring feelings of inadequacy, identity diffusion, emotional manipulation, and conditional affection, alongside processes of healing, boundary-setting, and post-traumatic growth.
Conclusion: Narcissistic parenting leaves lasting emotional scars that impair identity development, emotional regulation, and interpersonal functioning in adulthood. Nevertheless, through therapy and personal resilience, individuals can reconstruct a coherent sense of self and establish healthy relational boundaries. The findings underscore the importance of trauma-informed clinical approaches for adult survivors of narcissistic parenting.
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