Social Media Use Motives as Mediators of the Link Between Covert Narcissism and Problematic Social Media Use

BACKGROUND: The present study was carried out to investigate the mediating effect of the social media use motives between covert narcissism and problematic social media use in the Korean population. METHODS: College students using social networking service (SNS) (n = 603, 43.6% male) filled out self-report questionnaires of covert narcissism, social media use motives, and problematic social media use. RESULTS: Participants who reported more covert narcissism reported more problematic social media use. In addition, the relations between covert narcissism and problematic social media use was mediated by information, enhancement, coping, and conformity motives. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can help to establish an intervention program ­suitable for a specific population group and identify high-risk groups for problematic social media use.