Like Kristen, having a partner high in these traits could foretell a rough path ahead. Overall, however, higher levels of ASC-traits in the anchor partner predicted lower levels of relationship satisfaction. An orientation toward reciprocity would suggest that you have a “tit for tat” relationship with your partner. Specifically, the highly narcissistic partner might change over time with partners who are able to “assert their own needs more explicitly in order to maintain balance in the relationship”. Keeping the Narcissistic Partner in LineIf indeed it is possible to retrain the narcissistic partner by standing up for yourself, these findings would have important implications for people like Kristen.