Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism in Generation Z’s sharing of social media travel experiences
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18778/0867-5856.2026.19Keywords:
Generation Z, social media, narcissism, Big Five, conspicuous consumptionAbstract
This study explores the relationship between Generation Z’s personality traits and their behavior in sharing travel-related content on social media. Drawing on survey data from 314 Generation Z respondents, the research investigates the associations between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and subsequent patterns of content sharing. In line with previous findings, both forms of narcissism demonstrate similar correlations with the Big Five traits. Furthermore, conspicuous consumption and status-seeking behaviors are positively associated with both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, with the latter exhibiting a stronger relationship. Grandiose narcissism is significantly linked to a heightened tendency to share travel-related content and to post selfies, whereas vulnerable narcissism does not show such associations. However, individuals exhibiting both types of narcissism are inclined to seek inspiration from others’ social media profiles. A particularly salient finding for both theoretical and practical considerations is that individuals with grandiose narcissistic traits report higher levels of satisfaction with their travel experiences compared to their vulnerable counterparts. Continuously updated knowledge of personality traits is crucial not only for advancing conceptual understandings of rapidly evolving behavioral patterns, but also for equipping tourism practitioners, destinations and policymakers with timely and actionable insights.
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