Perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and narcissistic traits

TY - JOUR

T1 - Perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and narcissistic traits

AU - Venema, Tina A.G.

AU - Pfattheicher, Stefan

PY - 2021/6

Y1 - 2021/6

N2 - People's perceived susceptibility to illnesses plays a key role in determining whether or not to take protective measures. However, self-enhancing biases hinder accurate susceptibility perceptions, leaving some individuals to feel invulnerable in the face of acute health risks. Since such biases are prominent characteristics of individuals with narcissistic personality traits, this article empirically examined whether low perceived susceptibility of infection with COVID-19 is related to subclinical narcissism, as measured with the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-16) and the Narcissism Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ). We report the findings from a worldwide sample (N = 244), a UK sample before governmental pandemic restrictions (N = 261), a UK sample after restrictions (N = 261) and a pooled data analysis (N = 766). Overall, grandiose narcissism as measured with the NPI-16 predicted lower perceived susceptibility of infection, also after controlling for age and gender, whereas the NARQ Admiration subscale predicted higher perceived susceptibility. The findings are discussed in the light of theoretical and policy implications.

AB - People's perceived susceptibility to illnesses plays a key role in determining whether or not to take protective measures. However, self-enhancing biases hinder accurate susceptibility perceptions, leaving some individuals to feel invulnerable in the face of acute health risks. Since such biases are prominent characteristics of individuals with narcissistic personality traits, this article empirically examined whether low perceived susceptibility of infection with COVID-19 is related to subclinical narcissism, as measured with the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-16) and the Narcissism Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ). We report the findings from a worldwide sample (N = 244), a UK sample before governmental pandemic restrictions (N = 261), a UK sample after restrictions (N = 261) and a pooled data analysis (N = 766). Overall, grandiose narcissism as measured with the NPI-16 predicted lower perceived susceptibility of infection, also after controlling for age and gender, whereas the NARQ Admiration subscale predicted higher perceived susceptibility. The findings are discussed in the light of theoretical and policy implications.

KW - Perceived susceptibility

KW - Risk

KW - Grandiose narcissism

KW - NPI-16

KW - NARQ

KW - COVID-19

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85100429858&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110696

DO - 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110696

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33558779

SN - 0191-8869

VL - 175

JO - Personality and Individual Differences

JF - Personality and Individual Differences

M1 - 110696

ER -