Love-Bombing: A Narcissistic Approach to Relationship Formation

Love-Bombing 3
Abstract
The current study examined the relationship between attachment style, self-esteem, and
narcissism as they pertain to behavioral tendencies termed Love-Bombing behaviors among a
sample of young adult Millennials. Love-Bombing was identified as the presence of excessive
communication at the beginning of a relationship in order to passively obtain power and control
over another’s life as a means of narcissistic self-enhancement. The sample consisted of 484
college students from a large southern university who ranged in age 18-30. The results indicated
that Love-Bombing was positively correlated with narcissistic tendencies, avoidant attachment,
anxious attachment, and negatively correlated with self-esteem. Love-Bombing was also
associated with more text and media usage within romantic relationships. In conclusion, Love-
Bombing was found to be a logical and potentially necessary strategy for romantic relationships
among individuals with high displays of narcissism and low levels of self-esteem. This is the
first study to empirically examine Love-Bombing behaviors, thus future research needs to
address the impact that these behaviors have on young adult relationships.