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Both overt and covert narcissism are positively correlated with conspicuous consumption, which is considered to have the function of satisfying narcissists' dignity needs through showing their status. However, the two types of narcissism are related to different mental health outcomes, and the possible role of conspicuous consumption in these relations has not been explored in depth. Meanwhile, researchers have not reached a consensus on the relation between conspicuous consumption and mental health. The present study recruited a sample of 480 college students to explore the above problems. The correlation analysis showed that both types of narcissism were positively correlated with conspicuous consumption and external value. Overt narcissism was positively correlated with meaning in life, whereas covert narcissism showed the contrary. Conspicuous consumption was negatively correlated with meaning in life but positively correlated with external value. The mediating analysis revealed that neither type of narcissism could help individuals obtain meaning in life through conspicuous consumption directly; however, covert narcissism could help obtain external value through conspicuous consumption for securing meaning in life, whereas overt narcissism could not. The differences between the two types of narcissism and their relation with conspicuous consumption and meaning in life are discussed.

No abstract

Although previous studies have preliminarily explored the link between existential isolation (EI) and suicidal ideation, their relationship is not well understood. Drawing upon the state trait EI model and terror management theory, the present study proposes that EI could predict suicidal ideation owing to a crisis of meaning, speculating that self-esteem and perceived social support can alleviate the negative effects of EI. Most research on EI has come from individualistic cultures; no prior studies have explored this theme in China, which is widely considered to be a representative collectivist culture. The present study aims to close this gap in the literature by exploring two hypotheses using a sample of Chinese college students ( N = 480). The results showed that participants who identified as men had higher EI than participants who identified as women. Moreover, individuals living in rural areas with a lower subjective economic status or the experience of being left behind have higher levels of EI. EI can predict suicidal ideation, both directly and indirectly, through a crisis of meaning. However, self-esteem and perceived social support can alleviate the negative influence of EI, and their moderating roles were also discussed.