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People high in vulnerable narcissism constantly seek assurance, leading them to lose faith in their partners.

New research shows how the rivalry dimension of narcissism can become the cause of this lack of faith.

Relationships with vulnerable narcissists may be salvageable by understanding the source of their rivalry.

Being able to trust your partner to want the best for you forms the bedrock of a close relationship. No one wants a romantic partner who constantly engages in sabotage and deception. So what happens when people discover that their partner turns out to be doing just that?

Consider Betty and Francis, who started dating a year ago, having met online. Betty always felt that Francis was a bit on the overly competitive side, turning everything into a battle for victory. If Betty succeeded at work on some small achievement, Francis refused to take it seriously. Betty decided to stick it out because Francis seems to need her there and often relies on her for support. But warning signs like these are making her think that maybe she’d better get out while she still can.

The Path to Destruction With a Pathological Narcissist

As pointed out in a new study by Saint Camillus International University’s Guyonne Rogier and colleagues (2026), “trust appears to be one of the most desired features in a partner.” They key component of trust, they go on to note, is faith, or the confidence that a partner will remain caring and helpful regardless of what may happen in the future. It’s this uncertainty factor that could prove to be the........

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