Who Posts Selfies and Why?: Personality, Attachment Style, and Mentalization as Predictors of Selfie Posting on Social Media

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of selfie posting on social media and its relationship to narcissism, the Dark Triad, impulsivity, attachment style, rejection sensitivity, and reflective functioning. The sample was made up of 499 participants who completed an online survey consisting of personality measures and open- and closed-ended questions about selfie posting behavior. Data were analyzed using a negative binomial regression model. Results: The study found that individuals with high levels of the Dark Triad trait of psychopathy post more selfies on social media than do individuals with low levels of the trait. The Dark Triad trait of narcissism was also found to be significantly related to selfie posting, with narcissistic men posting significantly more selfies than narcissistic women. Furthermore, the study found that individuals with high levels of motor and non-planning impulsivity posted significantly more selfies than individuals with lower levels of those traits. This study also found a (marginally non-significant) trend whereby vulnerable narcissism and anxious attachment were predictive of increased selfie posting. Participants with higher levels of reflective functioning were found to post fewer selfies on social media, as were individuals high in rejection sensitivity. Grandiose narcissism, subclinical narcissism, avoidant attachment, and attentional impulsivity were not found to be significantly related to increased selfie posting on social media. Open-ended questions revealed some interesting anecdotal material about possible motivations for posting selfies on social media. In sum, the study’s findings shed light on a number of traits that are predictive of selfie posting on social media. Clinical implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed