Event to address narcissistic traits in teen boys

THERE was an impressive turnout of close to 200 people to the Garage Theatre in Monaghan Town recently for an event about “understanding and supporting adolescent boys with narcissistic traits”.

Those who attended the 'Behind the Mask' workshop last Wednesday all work with children and young people across Cavan and Monaghan and included a broad representation of statutory, community, and voluntary agencies.

The main speaker on the day was Bronagh Starrs, Ireland’s most recognised expert in the field of adolescent psychotherapy.

Throughout the day, attendees examined the increasing prevalence of narcissistic traits among adolescent boys and the impact this can have on families, schools and wider support systems.

Discussions focused on issues including misogyny, entitlement, resistance to authority and the growing influence of online culture and social media on adolescent identity and behaviour.

Collette Deeney, Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC), told attendeees that the large turnout “demonstrated the need for support around this issue”.

A significant theme of the workshop centred on family dynamics, particularly the experience many parents described as “walking on eggshells” around emotionally volatile or controlling behaviour.

Professionals also explored the challenges involved in engaging young people who may present with defensiveness, manipulation, emotional shutdown or hostility towards support services.

Pointedly, the workshop provided attendees with practical intervention strategies designed to help professionals respond more effectively and safely in clinical, educational and family support settings.

Speaking at the event, Bronagh Starrs highlighted the importance of early intervention and informed professional responses when working with adolescents displaying these patterns of behaviour.

“There is often a tendency to see these young people simply as difficult, oppositional or abusive,” she said. “But many are struggling with deep insecurity, emotional dysregulation, relational trauma and identity issues.

“Understanding what sits beneath the presentation is critical if we are to engage them meaningfully and reduce harm to themselves and others,” the adolescent psychotherapist told the audience.

Closing the event on Wednesday, May 13, Christine Lodge, CEO of Safe Ireland said: “Experts in violence prevention have long emphasised the importance of engaging boys and young men as part of the solution to ending violence against women and girls. Moving forward, it is essential that we shift away from blame and labelling and instead prioritise community-based early intervention, education and prevention strategies.”

One of the local people who attended is a foster carer who has a child in their care who she feels would benefit from the advice and information provided on the day. “I am taking every opportunity to try and turn [the boy in my care] around and give him the information and tools to make his own life better in the future,” the carer said.

“Hopefully he succeeds and passes it forward.”