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

Alyson E Blanchard; Greg Keenan; Nadja Heym; Alex Sumich

doi:10.1016/j.paid.2022.112060

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

Pers Individ Dif. 2023 Apr:204:112060. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.112060. Epub 2022 Dec 27.

Authors

Alyson E Blanchard¹, Greg Keenan², Nadja Heym³, Alex Sumich³

Affiliations

¹ School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Manchester, M6 6PU, United Kingdom.
² Department of Psychology, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool L16 9JD, United Kingdom.
³ Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, United Kingdom.

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.

Keywords: Borderline personality; COVID-19; Conspiracy beliefs; Dark triad traits; Fear of COVID-19; Narcissism; Psychopathy; Vulnerable dark triad.