The Rise of Narcissistic Personality Traits in The Digital Age: an Evaluation of Social Media Use From A Clinical Psychology Perspective
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: As digital environments have moved to the center of daily life, the ways in which people present themselves and seek approval have undergone a profound transformation. This review addresses, from a clinical psychology perspective, the visibility of narcissistic personality traits in the digital age and their relationship with social media use. The study evaluates the conceptual framework and dimensions of narcissism, its distinction from healthy self-esteem, the debate over its cross-generational course, the reward and reinforcement processes of social media, the culture of likes and selfies, the clinical outcomes, and the approaches to intervention, in light of current meta-analyses and large scale studies. The evidence shows that there is a small to moderate and consistent association between grandiose narcissism and social networking behavior, and that quantified feedback can establish a cycle that reinforces approval seeking. It is emphasized that grandiose and vulnerable narcissism relate to social media in different ways and that cultural context moderates this relationship. The review proposes that narcissistic traits be evaluated within a nonstigmatizing, dimensional and developmental framework, and that integrated approaches targeting self-awareness, empathy, and the regulation of self-esteem be considered in intervention.
Author: Dr. Bekir Cem AYDIN
Institution: St Clements University Higher Education School
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7223181014