Looking ahead through a fragile lens: Vulnerable narcissism and the future self.

Empirical data are lacking with regard to the degree to which self-absorbed hypersensitivity may be related to perceptions of the future self. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and several components of future orientation among psychiatric outpatients. A sample of 132 adult outpatients seeking mental health services completed measures assessing vulnerable narcissism, optimism, personal growth initiative and symptom distress, along with several questions regarding specific future outcomes. Correlation and regression analyses were used to examine relationships between vulnerable narcissism and future outlook domains, controlling for sociodemographic confounds and symptom distress. Significant negative associations were found between vulnerable narcissism and optimism, personal growth initiative, and expectations regarding mental health recovery and personal goal achievement. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.