Epistemic Mistrust and Rigidity mediate the effect of Individual Narcissism on Conspiracy Mentality: Investigating mediators of the narcissism-conspiracy link within the Epistemic Trust Framework
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Background
Prior research has shown that belief in conspiracy theories (CTs) is associated with individual narcissism, encompassing both grandiosity and vulnerability. Initial evidence suggests that this link is mediated by mistrust and suspicion towards others, alongside rigid belief systems such as odd beliefs, fatalism, or delusions.
Objective
Within the Epistemic Trust (ET) framework, this study examined whether the narcissism–conspiracy link is accounted for by epistemic stances of mistrust and rigidity formed developmentally.
Methods
A cross-sectional design was used, with self-report data from 417 UK-based adults from the non-clinical population. Pathological narcissism, assessed via the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI), was modelled as the independent variable, and conspiracy mentality, assessed with the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire (CMQ), as the dependent variable. Epistemic mistrust (Epistemic Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity Questionnaire; ETMCQ) and epistemic rigidity (Epistemic Vice Scale; EVS) were tested as mediators. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with latent variables was conducted.
Results
SEM indicated that epistemic mistrust and rigidity fully mediated the effect of narcissism on conspiracy mentality, accounting for 20% of the variance. This mediation pattern held for overall narcissism as well as the grandiosity and vulnerability subdimensions.
Conclusions
The influence of subclinical narcissistic traits on conspiracy mentality appears to operate via mistrust and rigidity in epistemic stance. For narcissistic individuals, these may function as defensive strategies to shield their belief systems from external challenge by disengaging from social input. The findings highlight the importance of communication strategies, informed by the ET framework, that promote openness and cognitive flexibility in individuals with heightened narcissism who endorse conspiratorial beliefs.
