Boyhood gender nonconformity : reported parental behavior and the development of narcissistic issues

A. Beard, R. Bakeman

Reported childhood gender nonconformity, parental behavior, and measures ofnarcissistic symptomatology were examined in a sample of 109 gay and bisexual men. Childhood gender nonconformity was not related to narcissistic personality but was related to feelings of impostorhood and self-esteem, two possible symptoms of narcissistic damage. This association was partially mediated by parental variables, especially reports of an accepting and supportive father. Psychoanalytic theory suggests that both homosexuality and narcissism stem from early family dynamics. These results provide support for an alternative theory which, recognizing that childhood gender nonconformity and same-sex adult sexual orientation are linked, posits that narcissism results from parental reactions to childhood gender nonconformity. Implications for clinical interventions are discussed.