Narcissism in women is linked to self-perceived but not actual estradiol levels

New research published in the Journal of Research in Personality suggests that while narcissistic women may believe they possess high levels of the hormone estradiol, their actual biology does not reflect this self-perception. The study found no statistical connection between the hormone and narcissistic personality traits, though it did identify a link between narcissism and self-rated attractiveness. These findings challenge previous assumptions about how biological markers of status seeking might manifest in women compared to men.

Personality psychologists define narcissism as a complex trait characterized by a sense of entitlement and inflated self-importance. It is often driven by a motivation to achieve social status and a persistent belief that one is superior to others. This personality structure is generally divided into two main categories: grandiose and vulnerable.

Grandiose narcissism involves high self-esteem, assertiveness, and exhibitionism. Vulnerable narcissism is marked by defensiveness, insecurity, and social withdrawal. A core component of the grandiose form is known as agentic narcissism. This specific facet drives individuals to promote themselves aggressively to gain admiration.

For years, researchers have investigated the biological roots of these behaviors. In men, studies have consistently linked grandiose narcissism to testosterone. This male sex hormone is associated with the pursuit of social status and dominance. Men with higher levels of testosterone often display the status-seeking behaviors typical of agentic narcissism.

Given this established link in men, researchers questioned whether a parallel mechanism exists in women. Jeremiasz Górniak and Marcin Zajenkowski from the University of Warsaw, along with their colleagues, sought to determine if estradiol plays a similar role for women. Estradiol is the primary form of estrogen and a key reproductive hormone.

In the realm of evolutionary psychology, estradiol is often associated with specific behavioral traits in women. Higher levels of the hormone have been linked to self-confidence and assertiveness. It is also associated with intrasexual competitiveness, which is the drive to compete with members of the same sex for mates or status.

Previous research indicates that women with higher estradiol levels are often perceived as more feminine. They may also demonstrate higher motivation for power. Because these traits overlap with the self-promotion found in agentic narcissism, the study authors hypothesized that high estradiol would correlate with high narcissism scores.

To test this hypothesis, the researchers designed two separate studies. The first study included 186 female participants. The second study expanded the pool to include 269 women. The participants were generally young adults with an average age of roughly 22 years.

The researchers implemented strict criteria for participation to ensure accurate hormonal measurement. They only recruited women who were not using hormonal contraception. Participants were required to have regular menstrual cycles lasting between 20 and 30 days. This was necessary because synthetic hormones and irregular cycles can obscure natural endocrine baselines.

The data collection process involved precise physiological measurement. Participants visited a laboratory for blood sampling in the early morning hours, typically between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. This timing controlled for the natural daily fluctuations in hormone levels.

The blood samples were collected during the early phase of the menstrual cycle. Specifically, the researchers targeted the first five days of the cycle, beginning with the onset of menstruation. Participants were instructed to avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, and medication for 24 hours prior to the test. They also fasted from food and caffeine on the morning of the collection.

Following the blood tests, the participants engaged in psychological assessments. They completed standard personality inventories designed to measure different facets of narcissism. These scales included the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire and the Five Factor Narcissism Inventory.

In addition to the personality questionnaires, the researchers assessed self-perception. They asked the women to rate their own attractiveness. The participants also estimated their own estradiol levels compared to other women on a scale ranging from “very low” to “very high.”

The results from the blood analysis provided a clear answer to the primary question. In both studies, the researchers did not find a statistically significant association between objective estradiol levels and grandiose narcissism. The amount of hormone circulating in a woman’s blood did not predict her score on the agentic narcissism scale.

The researchers then looked for connections with vulnerable narcissism. In the first study, there appeared to be a slight correlation between estradiol and neurotic or vulnerable traits. However, this finding did not appear in the second study. When the data from both studies were combined, there was no statistical link between the hormone and any form of narcissism.

Despite the lack of a biological connection, the self-report data revealed a strong psychological pattern. Women who scored high in agentic narcissism consistently rated themselves as having higher estradiol levels. They believed their hormonal profile was superior to that of their peers, even though the blood tests showed otherwise.

This pattern of self-enhancement extended to physical appearance. High scores in agentic narcissism were strongly associated with higher self-rated attractiveness. The women who viewed themselves as most narcissistic also viewed themselves as the most beautiful.

There was also a correlation between the two self-estimates. Women who believed they were more attractive also tended to believe they had higher levels of estradiol. This suggests that these participants view the hormone as a marker of femininity and desirability.

The authors offered several interpretations for these discrepancies. They suggest that the hormonal mechanisms for status seeking may differ fundamentally between sexes. In men, testosterone drives behaviors that align with the masculine stereotypes of dominance and aggression often seen in narcissism.

For women, the relationship between biology and personality may be more nuanced. The traits associated with grandiose narcissism, such as self-promotion and entitlement, are often viewed culturally as masculine qualities. Consequently, these traits may not share a biological root with the primary female sex hormone.

The researchers also proposed that the effects of estradiol on personality might be dependent on context. While testosterone is linked to general dominance, estradiol is more closely tied to mating contexts. Its influence on behavior might only emerge in specific situations involving romantic competition.

Another possibility involves the timing of the measurement. The study measured hormone levels at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. At this stage, estradiol levels are relatively low and stable. The hormone peaks later in the cycle, specifically around ovulation.

It is possible that the link between personality and hormones is only visible during the ovulatory phase. The variance in estradiol levels between women is more pronounced during this peak. Behavioral differences driven by the hormone might also be exaggerated during the fertile window.

The study focused on narcissism as a stable character trait. However, some psychological theories propose that narcissistic tendencies can fluctuate. A “state” version of narcissism might rise and fall alongside hormonal changes throughout the month. This study did not capture those potential fluctuations.

The findings highlight a disconnect between biological reality and narcissistic self-perception. Narcissistic women appear to co-opt the concept of high estradiol as part of their inflated self-image. They view the hormone as a biological asset that confirms their superiority and attractiveness.

This aligns with the general nature of agentic narcissism. Individuals with this trait often claim to possess desirable qualities regardless of the evidence. In this case, they claimed a biological “essence” of femininity and status that they did not actually possess in greater quantities than other women.

The study provides a necessary correction to evolutionary theories that apply male models of behavior directly to females. The biological pathways that encourage status seeking in men do not appear to operate identically in women. The drive for admiration in women does not seem to be fueled by baseline levels of estradiol.

Future research will need to address the limitations regarding the menstrual cycle. The authors suggest that subsequent studies should measure hormone levels at multiple points throughout the month. Capturing data during the ovulatory peak would provide a more complete picture of the endocrine influence on personality.

Additionally, future work could investigate how these women react to specific social stimuli. Measuring hormonal reactivity, or how levels change in response to a competitive situation, might yield different results than measuring baseline levels. It remains possible that narcissistic women experience different hormonal spikes when their status is threatened.

The current research serves as an important step in mapping the biological underpinnings of personality. It clarifies that while testosterone may tell a clear story for men, the hormonal narrative for women is distinct. Beliefs about one’s own biology appear to be just as powerful as the biology itself in shaping the narcissistic mind.

The study, “Hormonal underpinnings of narcissism in women: The role of estradiol measured from blood and self-report,” was authored by Jeremiasz Górniak, Marcin Zajenkowski, Gilles E. Gignac, Oliwia Maciantowicz, and Konrad S. Jankowski.