Narcissistic traits and problematic internet use among youths: A latent change score model approach

Problematic Internet Use (PIU), characterized by excessive and impulsive online use, represents a social emergency that negatively affects adolescents' well-being. However, despite the evidence of an association between PIU and maladaptive personality traits, no study has prospectively investigated the relationship between narcissistic traits and PIU. We explored the longitudinal impact of grandiose (GN) and vulnerable narcissism (VN) on different dimensions of PIU at two-time points via a latent score approach. A sample of 154 adolescents (72 females; age range: 14–18 years; mean age: 16.06, SD = 1.11) completed the Pathological Narcissism Inventory and the Internet Addiction Test. Data revealed that a longitudinal increase of VN, but not GN, predicted a worsening in online management, personal well-being, and personal and interpersonal functioning. The findings highlighted the importance of tailored clinical interventions for PIU during this delicate developmental stage.