Meta-analytical evidence indicates the robust association between collective narcissism and conspiracy theories is moderated by the content of conspiracy theories. Belief in conspiracies of specific outgroups fits collective narcissistic posture of intergroup hostility but collective narcissism is also bound to other conspiracy theories because it simultaneously comprises a committed belief (that the ingroup is great) and a threatening belief (that the ingroup is unrecognized). This creates compensatory motivations to believe in conspiracy theories that protect the committed belief and to seize on any conspiracy theory as a meaning-making activity. Collective narcissism and conspiracy theories may also co-occur because they serve to coordinate undemocratic leaders and their constituencies. They produce threatening environments that justify coercion, violence and undemocratic governance.

元分析证据表明，集体自恋与阴谋论之间的密切关联受到阴谋论内容的调节。相信特定外群体的阴谋符合群体间敌对的集体自恋姿态，但集体自恋也与其他阴谋论有关，因为它同时包含坚定的信念（内群体是伟大的）和威胁性的信念（内群体未被承认）。这会产生补偿性动机，让他们相信保护所承诺的信念的阴谋论，并抓住任何阴谋论作为一种意义创造活动。集体自恋和阴谋论也可能同时出现，因为它们有助于协调不民主的领导人及其支持者。