EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF GRANDIOSITY: A MEDIATED ANALYSIS OF HYPERSENSITIVITY AND SELF-OBJECTIFICATION IN PAKISTANI ONLINE BUYERS

Abstract

Hypersensitive narcissism, grandiosity, and self-objectification are usually seen in online buyers, as mentioned by many prior researchers. The study investigated the mediation effect of grandiosity between the relationship between hypersensitive narcissism and self-objectification by conducting a mediating analysis. To gain data for hypersensitive-narcissism, the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSNS) was used, while to measure grandiosity in individuals, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) was used, and the Self-Objectification Scale (SOS) administered to assess self-objectification in the study participants. The sample includes 282 online buyers who are well distributed across the genders (women = 69.3%, men = 30.7%) and have online buying experience. Findings showed that grandiosity mediates the relationship between hypersensitive-narcissism and self-objectification. Sobel’s z-test also elaborated on the significance of the relationship; the relationship between hypersensitive-narcissism and self-objectification gets weaker/stronger in the presence of grandiosity between them.