TITLE:
An Exploratory Study of the Relationships between Narcissism, Self-Esteem and Instagram Use
AUTHORS:
Olga Paramboukis, Jason Skues, Lisa Wise
KEYWORDS:
Narcissism, Vulnerable Narcissism, Grandiose Narcissism, Instagram, Self-Esteem, Social Media
JOURNAL NAME:
Social Networking,
Vol.5 No.2,
April
28,
2016
ABSTRACT: The aim of this mixed-methods exploratory study was to examine the relationship between narcissism,
self-esteem and Instagram usage and was motivated by unsubstantiated media claims of
increasing narcissism due to excessive use of social networks. A sample of 200 participants responded
to an online survey which consisted of the Five Factor Narcissism Inventory (FFNI), the
Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and the Instagram Usage, Behaviours, and Affective Responses Questionnaire
(IUBARQ) constructed specifically for the purposes of this study. There was only weak
evidence for any relationship between narcissism and Instagram usage, suggesting that media
concerns are somewhat exaggerated. However the negative correlation between vulnerable narcissism
and self-esteem warrants further examination.