A vicious circle? Longitudinal relationships between different modes of in-group identity and COVID-19 conspiracy thinking

Shake it off! Adaptive coping with stress reduces national narcissism

“…While this issue could be partially addressed through the inclusion of random intercept within the model (Hamaker et al, 2015), this approach is not available for studies containing only two waves of assessment. Thus, the results of the current CLPM have to be interpreted with caution, and future studies could also use a three-wave longitudinal design to better examine the causality (Górska et al, 2022) between our variables of interest.…”

“…Due to its defensive character, national narcissism leads to maladaptive psychological consequences both at the inter‐ and intra‐group levels (Cichocka et al, 2016; Górska et al, 2022; Gronfeldt et al, 2022; Marchlewska et al, 2020; Molenda et al, 2023; Szczepańska et al, 2022; for a review see Cichocka & Cislak, 2020). People scoring higher on collective narcissism are preoccupied with their in‐group's image and are highly sensitive to any signs of threat to it (Cichocka, 2016).…”

“…For these reasons, collective narcissism is also related to conspiracy theories endorsement (i.e. belief in hidden malevolent plots by powerful groups; Douglas et al, 2019; see also Cichocka et al, 2016; Cislak et al, 2021; Górska et al, 2022; Marchlewska et al, 2019; Marchlewska, Hamer, et al, 2022; Sternisko et al, 2023). Holding firm convictions that other groups are conspiring against one's own in‐group constitutes an explanation for any in‐group's misfortunes and its insufficient recognition or weaker position (Cichocka, 2016).…”

“…Furthermore, recent research showed that maladaptive coping with stress predicted increased conspiracy beliefs (Marchlewska, Green, et al, 2022), whereas national narcissism also positively predicted conspiracy theories endorsement in numerous studies (Cichocka et al, 2016; Cislak et al, 2021; Górska et al, 2022; Marchlewska, Górska, et al, 2022; Marchlewska, Hamer, et al, 2022). Marchlewska, Green, et al (2022) argued that conspiracy theories endorsement might constitute a maladaptive way of managing psychological distress (see also Douglas et al, 2017), in the way that those tending to use avoidance strategies might be more prone to believe in conspiracy theories, as they offer a way to avoid the stressor instead of actively face it.…”

“‘Cause We Are the Champions of the World”

“…Collective narcissism is associated with undesirable intergroup effects. It predicts suspicion of outgroups (Cichocka et al, 2016; Górska et al, 2022) and sensitivity to disrespect or criticism. Collective narcissists tend to react to such threats with prejudice and hostility (Golec de Zavala, Cichocka, & Bilewicz, 2013; Golec de Zavala, Cichocka, & Iskra Golec, 2013).…”