PARENTAL NARCISSISM AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF ADOLESCENT CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA: A CRITICAL REVIEW STUDY

This critical review explores the relationship between parental narcissism and the psychological well-being of adolescent children in South Africa. Adolescents’ psychological well-being, which encompasses emotional and mental health, is a key factor in their development and future societal contributions. However, existing research suggests that adolescents raised by narcissistic parents are at increased risk for mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. The review critically examines studies published between 2005 and 2024 to assess emerging patterns, trends, and gaps in the literature on this topic. The study employed a qualitative research methodology, integrating De Klerk and Pretorius’s (2019) and Davies’s (2020) approaches to guide the review. Relevant studies were gathered from databases such as JSTOR, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar, and thematic analysis was used to synthesize and analyse the findings. Key themes that emerged include the negative impact of affectionless control, overparenting, scapegoating on adolescent mental health, and gender differences in psychological responses. The specific cultural context of South Africa was also found to play significant roles in how parental narcissism affects adolescents. The study findings have implications for informing targeted interventions for improving the mental health outcomes of adolescents in South Africa. This review further highlights the importance of continued research in this area to inform future practice and therapeutic approaches.