Emptiness Mediates the Association Between Pathological Narcissism and Problematic Smartphone Use

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Limited research exists on narcissism and problematic smartphone use, with mixed findings.
• The psychological mechanisms underlying this association require empirical investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationships between pathological narcissism, emptiness, and problematic smartphone use.
• To examine the mediating role of emptiness in the link between pathological narcissism and problematic smartphone use.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 278 young Israeli adults completed self-report questionnaires.
• Assessed pathological narcissism (grandiosity, vulnerability), emptiness, and problematic smartphone use.

Main Results:

• Narcissistic grandiosity, vulnerability, and emptiness were positively associated with problematic smartphone use.
• Emptiness significantly mediated the relationship between pathological narcissism and problematic smartphone use.

Conclusions:

• Emptiness plays a crucial mediating role in how pathological narcissism relates to problematic smartphone use.
• Findings underscore the significance of emptiness in driving compensatory behaviors like compulsive smartphone use in pathological narcissists.