- Narcissistic traits linked to phone addiction
- Nomophobia affects stressed narcissists
- Social media mediates stress
New research indicates that individuals with high levels of narcissistic traits are more likely to be addicted to their phones.
Nomophobia, an addiction derived from the phrase “no mobile phone phobia,” occurs when individuals experience a profound sense of self-deprivation whenever they are unable to access their mobile device.
Narcissists often exhibit an exaggerated sense of self-importance, manifesting as a desire for admiration and a sense of entitlement.
According to research from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania, much of this inflated self-importance can be obtained through social media interactions, such as ‘likes’ on their posts.
Nomophobia and Stress Levels
Higher narcissistic personality scores were associated with nomophobia in 559 postsecondary and university students aged 18–45.
These people had higher stress levels and greater social media addiction symptoms.
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The conclusion drawn is that nomophobia, narcissism, tension, and addiction to social media all affect one another.
Their findings suggest that social media addiction and nomophobia explain the link between narcissism and stress.
Clarifying Narcissistic Personality Disorder
The disorder in question should not be confused with the colloquial expression ‘narcissism.’
Individuals diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder may encounter challenges in establishing and sustaining enduring relationships due to the possibility that others will not appreciate their companionship or find relationships satisfying.
Narcissistic clinical symptoms include an obsession with power fantasies, an expectation of being acknowledged as superior, an inflated sense of self-importance, an unwillingness to consider the needs and emotions of others, envy of others, and arrogance.
However, a fragile ego can also accompany this inflated sense of self.
Narcissists often exhibit a propensity for being easily irritated, develop impatience in the absence of special acknowledgment, struggle to adjust to change or stress, experience depression when they fail to achieve perfection, and harbor concealed sentiments of insecurity or apprehensions regarding potential exposure as a failure.
The researchers enlisted 394 Romanian postsecondary school students and 165 university students as participants through classroom announcements.
The online survey comprised assessments assessing narcissism, stress, symptoms of social media addiction, and nomophobia, administered to the participants.
Consider the following inquiry about nomophobia: “I would experience unease in the absence of perpetual information accessibility via my smartphone.”
Narcissism, Social Media Addiction, and Nomophobia
Additionally, one regarding social media addiction: “On what frequency over the past year have you found your work or studies to have been adversely affected by your excessive use of social media?”
There was a positive correlation between students’ narcissism scores and their degrees of social media addiction and nomophobia.
Additionally, individuals who demonstrated a more pronounced addiction to social media reported experiencing elevated levels of tension. Furthermore, those with a greater fear of missing out also reported heightened levels of tension.
The authors of the study stated, “The most significant finding of the present study relates to the mediating roles of social media addiction and nomophobia in the relationship between narcissism and stress.”
A statistical analysis was performed, unveiling the probable correlation among the factors above:
They wrote, “As hypothesized, individuals with high levels of narcissism may be more susceptible to developing these behavioral addictions, leading to increased stress levels.”
The study’s limitations encompass the reliance on self-reported responses to inquiries alongside the preponderance of youthful volunteers. Additionally, the study was not designed to establish cause and effect.
