Narcissism and Social Networking Behavior: A Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Media Studies

Background:

• Social networking sites (SNS) are increasingly popular.
• Speculation exists regarding a link between SNS use intensity and narcissistic tendencies.
• Previous research on this association has yielded inconclusive results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a meta-analysis on the association between trait narcissism and social networking behavior.
• To synthesize findings from multiple studies to determine the overall effect size.
• To explore potential moderators influencing this relationship.

Main Methods:

• A three-level, random effects meta-analysis was performed.
• Included 289 effect sizes from 57 studies with a total of 25,631 participants.
• Analyzed the association between trait narcissism and social networking behavior.

Main Results:

• A small to moderate effect size (ρ = .17) was found for grandiose narcissism.
• The association was consistent across various platforms, respondent characteristics, and time.
• Cultural differences were observed, with stronger links in power-distant cultures.
• Self-presentation behaviors and number of friends showed stronger effects than usage duration.

Conclusions:

• The study supports and refines the understanding of the relationship between social networking and narcissistic personality traits.
• Narcissism is linked to specific social networking behaviors, especially those focused on self-presentation.
• Cultural context significantly influences the strength of this association.