COVID-19 prevention behaviour is differentially motivated by primary psychopathy, grandiose narcissism and vulnerable Dark Triad traits

Blanchard, A.E., Keenan, G., Heym, N. ORCID: 0000-0003-2414-8854 and Sumich, A. ORCID: 0000-0003-4333-8442, 2023. COVID-19 prevention behaviour is differentially motivated by primary psychopathy, grandiose narcissism and vulnerable Dark Triad traits. Personality and Individual Differences, 204: 112060. ISSN 0191-8869

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Abstract

Dark Triad traits (psychopathy, narcissism) are associated with nonadherence to COVID-19 prevention measures such as social distancing and wearing face masks, although the psychological mechanisms underpinning this relationship remain unclear. In contrast, high threat-sensitivity may motivate compliance, and maybe seen in relation to vulnerable dark traits (secondary psychopathy, vulnerable narcissism and borderline personality disorder). The relationship between vulnerable dark traits and COVID-19 prevention behaviour has not been examined. During April 2021, participants (n = 263) completed an online psychometric study assessing engagement with COVID-19 prevention behaviour, traditional DT traits (primary psychopathy; grandiose narcissism) and vulnerable DT traits. Potential indirect effects were fear of COVID-19, perceived coronavirus severity, belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories and altruism. Model of path analysis identified predictors of engagement in disease prevention behaviour. Primary psychopathy, grandiose narcissism, secondary psychopathy and BPD were associated with less COVID-19 prevention behaviour, with an indirect effect of reduced coronavirus severity. Grandiose narcissism and BPD were also motivated by COVID-19 conspiracy theories, and increased prevention behaviour when fear of COVID-19 was higher. No direct or indirect effects were observed for vulnerable narcissism. The current study is the first to elucidate psychological mechanisms linking vulnerable dark traits with COVID-19 prevention behaviour.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Personality and Individual Differences
Creators:	Blanchard, A.E., Keenan, G., Heym, N. and Sumich, A.
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Date:	April 2023
Volume:	204
ISSN:	0191-8869
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1016/j.paid.2022.112060 DOI 1632669 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	18 Jan 2023 13:34
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 13:34
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/47921

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