From Partners' Narcissism to Breakup Intentions
Xiaofan Yue, Xin CuiABSTRACT
Objective
This study examined whether perceived partner narcissism is associated with breakup intentions through Gottman's Four Horsemen behaviors and relationship disillusionment.
Background
Romantic relationships may shift from idealization to disillusionment, especially when partners are perceived as narcissistic. Negative communication may explain this relational deterioration.
Methods
A total of 508 adults in China completed measures of perceived partner narcissism, criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling, relationship disillusionment, and breakup intentions. Exploratory items assessed breakup initiation, partner resistance, and breakup outcome. Bootstrapped mediation and logistic regression analyses were conducted.
Results
Perceived partner narcissism was indirectly associated with stronger breakup intentions through each Four Horsemen behavior and disillusionment. Exploratory analyses showed that disillusionment did not significantly predict breakup initiation or outcome, and partner resistance did not moderate the disillusionment–outcome association.
Conclusion
Perceived partner narcissism may relate to breakup intentions through destructive communication patterns and disillusionment, although the cross‐sectional, single‐informant design precludes causal conclusions.
Implications or Recommendations
These findings may help researchers and practitioners better understand how romantic relationships shift from positive illusion to disillusionment and breakup intentions, particularly when perceived partner narcissism and Four Horsemen communication patterns are involved.