Dr Alyson Blanchard A.E.Blanchard@salford.ac.uk
Lecturer in Psychology
COVID-19 prevention behaviour is differentially motivated by primary psychopathy, grandiose narcissism and vulnerable Dark Triad traits
Blanchard, AE; Keenan, G; Heym, N; Sumich, A
Authors
G Keenan
N Heym
A Sumich
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.
| Journal Article Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Date | Dec 13, 2022 |
| Online Publication Date | Dec 27, 2022 |
| Publication Date | Dec 27, 2022 |
| Deposit Date | Feb 13, 2023 |
| Publicly Available Date | Dec 28, 2024 |
| Journal | Personality and Individual Differences |
| Print ISSN | 0191-8869 |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Volume | 112060 |
| Keywords | Dark triad traits, vulnerable dark triad, COVID-19, fear of COVID-19, conspiracy beliefs, narcissism, psychopathy, borderline personality |
| Publisher URL | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.112060 |
| Additional Information | Funders : Bishop Grosseteste University |
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