The Dynamics of Narcissus: Exploring the Covariation of Narcissistic States in Daily Life

Advanced empirical research and clinical theory suggest that narcissistic personality states fluctuate over time. However, these fluctuations are poorly understood. To address this, we recruited 88 undergraduates to complete baseline measures and respond to smartphone prompts assessing narcissistic states and emotions in daily life seven times a day for 10 days. Narcissistic states were assessed using a state-adapted version of the Super Brief Pathological Narcissism Inventory (SB-PNI). Findings showed that within-person covariation of narcissistic states ranged from -.55 to .52 and was negatively associated with trait grandiosity, guilt, and mood activation. In addition, there was a significant quadratic relationship between narcissistic covariation and trait vulnerability and between narcissistic covariation and mean state vulnerability, self-esteem, pleasant and activated mood, and shame across 10 days. These findings suggest a potential state-based dynamic taxonomy of narcissistic presentations and highlight the importance of understanding distinctions between co-occurring, contrasting, and dissociated narcissistic states.