The anxious addictive narcissist: The relationship between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, anxiety symptoms and Facebook Addiction

Abstract

Vulnerable narcissism and grandiose narcissism share the core of the narcissistic self but are considered as separate forms of this personality trait. While previous research mainly focused on the mechanisms that connect grandiose narcissism and addictive use of the social platform Facebook, it remained unclear why individuals with enhanced levels of vulnerable narcissism are at risk to develop Facebook Addiction (FA). The present study investigated the links between vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, anxiety symptoms, and FA. In a sample of 327 Facebook users (age: M ( SD ) = 23.67(3.96), range: 18–56), both forms of narcissism were positively related to anxiety symptoms and FA. Moreover, the association between both forms of narcissism and FA was partly mediated by anxiety symptoms. Results enter new territory by revealing hidden similarities between vulnerable and grandiose narcissists, emphasizing that similar mechanisms might explain their enhanced risk to develop addictive tendencies of Facebook use. These findings should be considered when assessing individuals at risk for FA and when developing (therapeutic) intervention programs to deal with problematic use of social platforms.

Relationship of Narcissism and Coping Strategies with Competitive Stress among Female Elite Athletes

“…The results of this hypothesis showed that among these dimensions; Pride is most associated with the most important role in the mind control strategy to deal with competitive stress in elite athletes. The results are consistent with the findings of Jones ( 2017 (Brailovskaia et al, 2020).…”

“…Overall, the results highlight the vital role of preventive coping strategies in predicting mental health among narcissists. Brailovskaia et al (2020) in their study showed that vulnerable narcissism and large narcissism had a significant relationship with anxiety (Brailovskaia et al, 2020). The results of Fang et al (2021) showed that admirable narcissism is negatively related to depression, while competitive narcissism is positively related to depression.…”

Addicted to Self-esteem: Understanding the neurochemistry of narcissism by using cocaine as a pharmacological model

“…An addictive attitude to selfesteem could explain an excessive focus on self-image and relative disregard for other thingssimilarly to what is seen in addiction in general (heightened responses to drug cues, attenuated responses to natural rewards). As circumstantial support for this, Brailovskaia et al (2020) found that both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism were associated with anxiety and addiction-like use of social media. We can infer that both grandiose narcissists, who tend to manage their condition successfully, as well vulnerable narcissist, who seem to have a more serious disruption in achieving their inner urges, are prone to have more anxiety.…”

Young users' social media addiction: causes, consequences and preventions

“…, 2019). Brailovskaia et al. (2020) categorized young people as the age group vulnerable to narcissistic behaviour.…”

“…These include flow and salient (Primack et al. , 2017), depression (Brailovskaia et al. , 2020; O'Keeffe and Clarke-Pearson, 2011; Primack et al.…”