The expression of narcissistic traits in daily life: an ecological momentary assessment study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: It is widely agreed that narcissistic individuals experience significant interpersonal dysfunction, but there are gaps in the literature on how different interpersonal contexts affect the expression of narcissistic traits and how these differences give rise to social impairment. This study aims to understand the expression of narcissistic traits in relation to interpersonal contexts in daily life. The data used for this study were drawn from two independent samples of undergraduate students (S1) and community members (S2). Both samples completed a series of baseline assessments and subsequent ambulatory assessment protocols. Results from within-person correlations indicated mixed evidence that specific social partners have an influence on momentary narcissism. Results from multilevel regression analyses showed that there were no significant relations between variety in arguments or emotional support and daily levels of narcissism. Results from baseline correlations indicated a negative correlation between variety in emotional support and baseline grandiosity, and a positive correlation between variety in arguments and baseline vulnerability between both samples. Future research focused on narcissism in daily life should aim to include more daily contextual features relevant to the interaction. Further, these studies should aim to examine how the interplay between processes simultaneously impacts the expression of narcissistic states to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying narcissistic dysfunction.
Author: Sahay, Anusha
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7009819796