The phenomenon of narcissism in India is a complex reality of social psychology bound by
the intricacies of culture, tradition, and modern society. Despite the lack of restraint on
narcissism imposed by the Indian collectivist culture, there is now the presence of
‘malignant’ narcissism among the youth, the elderly, and especially during the times of
globalization, urbanization, and active social media usage.
Additionally, family structures impact behavior, as parental pressure coupled with a focus on
reputation means children are likely to develop narcissistic patterns of their own. In corporate
and political spheres, narcissistic leaders are rewarded for their power-centric behavior,
which only serves to increase the prevalence of such leaders. Social media then provides the
platform for a proliferation of self seeking and validation grabbing behavior, especially for
the youth in urban centers.
Studies have pointed towards the emergence of sensitive passive aggressive individuals
practicing covert narcissism, moving away from enacting grandiose forms of overt
narcissism. Remarkable individualism and materialism, on the other hand, indicates some
form of transformation in the practice of narcissism. These changes should be monitored
through further studies on their impact on relationships, leadership, and mental health in
India. 3 to 4 studies will be reported here carried out in Indian context on Students, Police
Personnels, Prison Inmates and General Population.