Why would you be with a narcissist? Benefits of romantic relationships with a narcissistic partner and their association with relationship well-being

Abstract

Although narcissism is associated with negative outcomes in long-term romantic relationships, some individuals manage to maintain their relationships with a narcissistic partner. The aim of this study was to investigate what types of benefits partners may discern from being with a narcissist. Employing a dyadic analysis approach, we examined 200 opposite-sex community couples. Partners of narcissists reported considering their partner to be especially charismatic and attractive, and importantly, that their partner helped them accomplish their best self. In turn, they were willing to sacrifice for their narcissistic partners’ goals. Narcissists themselves basked in the glory of their partner’s successes, whereas both partners felt more special through their relationship with each other. Some of these benefits had downstream effects on both partners' relationship well-being. By focusing on potentially positive mechanisms, these findings may contribute to a more differentiated understanding of the complex dynamics in narcissists’ relationships.