Abstract

The present study hypothesized that social connectedness and social avoidance could mediate the relationship between covert narcissism and depression. To test this hypothesis, covert narcissism, social connectedness, social avoidance, and depression were measured for 411 adults. Results of this study are summarized as follows. First, covert narcissism, social connectedness, social avoidance, and depression showed significant correlations. Second, social connectedness and social avoidance had simple and significant mediating effects on the relationship between covert narcissism and depression. Third, social connectedness and social avoidance showed sequential mediating effects on the relationship between covert narcissism and depression. Based on these results, implications and limitations of this study and the necessity of further research were discussed.