More than a preference for online social interaction: Vulnerable narcissism and phubbing

Abstract

This study was the first to examine whether the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and phubbing (phone snubbing) can be explained by preference for online social interaction. Participants (N = 402) completed measures of narcissistic vulnerability, phubbing, and preference for online social interaction, along with measures of grandiose narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and social anxiety, which were included as covariates in a mediation analysis. As hypothesised, preference for online social interaction mediated the vulnerable narcissism—phubbing relationship, however this effect was only partial, with narcissistic vulnerability still having a significant and positive direct effect on phubbing. These results indicate that phubbing may allow individuals with vulnerable narcissism to meet contingent self-esteem needs—i.e., needs which are more readily managed through the asynchronous and more controllable online environment—but that other aspects of narcissistic vulnerability also drive phubbing behaviours.