Divergent reactions to COVID‐19 exhibited in grandiose and vulnerable narcissism

Abstract Grandiosity and vulnerability are distinct dimensions of narcissism that may exhibit differences regarding compliance with COVID‐19 regulations and policies. Although both dimensions reflect entitlement and self‐importance, motivational tendencies diverge. Narcissistic grandiosity reflects bold expressions consistent with approach motivation, whereas vulnerable narcissism reflects reactive expressions consistent with avoidance motivation. Therefore, the present cross‐sectional investigation explored these relations between November 2020 and April 2021. Undergraduates ( N = 487, M age = 19.79, 87.1% women) completed online surveys that assessed grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, perceived severity of and susceptibility to COVID, attitudes and reactions toward COVID policies, as well as self‐reported behavioral data including number of daily hours out in public, indoor bar/restaurant attendance, and whether they had ever received a positive COVID diagnosis. Consistent with theoretical distinctions between the two narcissistic dimensions, grandiosity generally predicted reduced behavioral compliance and extraverted tendencies that put them at risk for COVID exposure; however, both grandiosity and vulnerability predicted worse reactions and attitudes toward COVID‐19 policies.