A Correlational Study on Social Media Usage and Narcissistic Personality Traits Among Young Adults

Abstract

: In the contemporary digital age, social media has become deeply embedded in the fabric of everyday life, particularly among young adults. The architecture of these platforms inherently rewards self-presentation and engagement, creating environments where users are incentivized to project idealized versions of themselves. This study investigates the correlational relationship between social media usage and narcissistic personality traits among young adults aged 18 to 25 years in the Indian context. Employing a quantitative correlational design, data were collected from 50 young adults selected through convenience sampling. Social media usage was assessed using a self-structured Social Media Usage Questionnaire, while narcissistic traits were measured using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16 (NPI-16). Descriptive statistics and Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation were utilized for data analysis. Findings indicated a statistically significant positive correlation between social media usage and narcissistic personality traits (r = 0.42, p < .01), indicating that higher engagement on social media platforms is associated with elevated narcissistic tendencies. The study contributes to the limited body of literature exploring this intersection within non-Western, South Asian contexts. Implications for mental health professionals, educators, and policymakers regarding digital wellness and mindful online behavior are discussed.