While"enshittification" may have been coined to describe the decline of online platforms, its relevance transcends the digital world.

As a marriage and family therapist, I see this word as an apt metaphor for the gradual deterioration of relationships when unchecked dynamics, selfishness, or neglect creep in.

Just as platforms once built on trust and utility erode due to profit-seeking, intimate connections can crumble when foundational values are sacrificed for short-term gains or external pressures.

A recent study published in the Journal of Personality sheds light on how dark personality traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—interact with mental health over time.

These findings bring an important perspective to understanding the nuanced relationships between traits associated with manipulative or self-serving tendencies and psychological well-being.

A new study published in Psychology of Popular Media provides a detailed look into the role of pornography in shaping sexual scripts and behaviors among university students in Germany.

Conducted over nearly two years, the study found that increased pornography consumption is linked to adopting risky sexual scripts and behaviors, shedding light on the broader impact of adult content in shaping sexual attitudes and practices.

The question, "Do narcissists have demons?" invites a complex dialogue bridging psychology, theology, and cultural metaphor.

While psychological frameworks describe narcissism as a diagnosable personality disorder, many religious traditions interpret similar traits—pride, grandiosity, and manipulation—as evidence of spiritual affliction or even demonic influence.

Let’s explore explore the idea from a balanced perspective, offering insights into how psychology and theology can converge and diverge in addressing this provocative question.

When the holidays roll around and that one friend or family member shows up with a gift that screams “Look at how amazing I am,” you might be dealing with a narcissist—but not just any narcissist.

Recent research published in the Journal of Personality reveals that the motivations behind narcissistic gift-giving are as complicated as the narcissists themselves.

Buckle up, because we’re diving into the wild world of narcissistic admiration, rivalry, and why some people just won’t bother to bring you a plant to your dinner party.

Narcissism—a word that’s become synonymous with self-centeredness and entitlement in today’s world. But in psychology, narcissism represents a specific set of personality traits that researchers study to understand individual behavior and social dynamics.

The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) has been one of the most widely used tools for assessing these traits in a non-clinical setting. And now, the NPI-13 provides a faster yet reliable way to evaluate narcissism.

There’s a new twist on why students (and professors!) are collapsing under the weight of academic burnout. A recent study published in Acta Psychologica has revealed an intriguing—if slightly chilling—insight: personality traits from the infamous “dark triad” (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) might be setting up certain students for a crash course in exhaustion, thanks to their intense focus on appearing flawless. Let’s unpack this twisted love triangle of burnout, manipulation, and academic life.

Part of human experience is investing our time, energy, and love into building a meaningful connection with our partner.

This investment is part of what makes long-term relationships so precious, but it can also create a trap known as the "Sunk Cost Fallacy."

This psychological concept explains why people sometimes stick with decisions, behaviors, or relationships simply because they’ve already put so much effort into them — even if they’re no longer beneficial.

In couples therapy, exploring the Sunk Cost Fallacy can help partners see when past investments might be preventing them from making positive changes.

In relationships, even the most loving intentions can sometimes lead to surprising results.

One partner may try to “fix” a problem or help their spouse in a way that feels supportive, only to see the effort create new challenges. This phenomenon is sometimes called the "Cobra Effect," named after an unintended consequence that famously occurred in colonial India.

It’s a reminder that sometimes, when we try to resolve one issue, we accidentally make things worse.

In couples therapy, the "Cobra Effect" becomes a helpful concept to discuss because it can open up conversations about how intentions, actions, and outcomes may not always align in the ways we expect.

By exploring this effect, couples can discover how to channel their good intentions into actions that truly support their relationship. Let’s take a closer look at how this happens and what couples can do to avoid some common relationship “cobra traps.”

In times of stress, even the strongest couples can slip into unconscious roles, with one partner taking on a “parent” role and the other falling into a “child” role.

This dynamic, called “parentification,” often emerges subtly. Over time, though, it can create a power imbalance, leading to resentment, dependency, and even erosion of intimacy.

Understanding how and why partners fall into these roles, as well as how to break free from them, is essential for a healthy, balanced relationship.

In this post, we’ll explore the “parentification” trap, how it can affect romantic partnerships, and practical ways couples can restore equality and mutual support.

When one partner sacrifices their career for the other, it can lead to unspoken resentment and feelings of loss.

While it may seem loving at first, the effects of career sacrifices can linger, affecting a couple’s connection, satisfaction, and personal identity.

This post explores how couples can address career sacrifices with empathy and respect to prevent long-term resentment and foster a healthier, more supportive relationship.

Meet Laura and Ben, a couple who faced hidden struggles after Laura made career sacrifices to support Ben’s demanding new government job across the country.

Their story, shared here, highlights the importance of discussing unspoken losses, validating each other’s needs, and reconnecting as a team.

Recent research has unveiled fascinating connections between dark personality traits and criminal behavior, suggesting that specific traits like Machiavellianism play a major role in recurrent criminality.

But to truly grasp these findings, it’s essential to consider them within a larger cultural context—particularly through the lens of Cultural Narcissism.

This framework sheds light on how society’s evolving values might be amplifying certain dark personality traits, leading to an environment that, in some cases, promotes manipulation, deception, and self-centered behavior.