Narcissism on the Beach? Attachment style, Personality and Self-esteem Contingencies of Dating Show Participants

This study investigated the complex interplay of attachment styles, self-esteem contingencies, and narcissism subtypes in dating show participants compared to a control group. Using a generalized linear model, results showed that grandiose narcissism significantly predicted dating show participation. Vulnerable narcissism did not predict group membership. Additionally, lower attachment anxiety and higher appearance-based self-esteem were associated with dating show participation, whereas dependence on others’ approval was negatively related. No significant effects were found for attachment avoidance or competition-based self-esteem. The findings suggest that dating show participants exhibit a distinct psychological profile marked by self-assuredness, image-orientation, and relative emotional independence, which may facilitate their engagement in highly visible and socially evaluative romantic contexts.