Cultural moderation of demographic differences in narcissism

Abstract

This study examined demographic differences in narcissism across 53 countries, with a sample of over 45,000 participants. We explored how age, gender, and perceived social status were associated with narcissistic admiration and rivalry, and whether these associations were moderated by cultural factors like individualism/collectivism and gross domestic product (GDP). Consistent with previous research, younger adults (compared to older adults), men (compared to women), and those who saw themselves as higher-status (compared to lower-status) reported higher levels of narcissism. Narcissistic admiration and rivalry followed similar demographic trends. People from higher GDP and more collectivistic cultures reported higher narcissism levels (particularly for admiration), with the latter effect challenging conventional views that narcissism is predominantly a product of individualistic societies. Despite variation in mean levels of narcissism, demographic differences were largely consistent across cultures.