Abstract
This study explored the associations between the Dark Triad traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) and mental well-being in a Korean adult sample (N = 1,177). The role of the conceptions of happiness as mediators of these associations was also investigated. Eight conceptions of happiness (e.g., fragility of happiness and eudaimonism), 3 dimensions of hedonic well-being (e.g., life satisfaction), and 2 dimensions of eudaimonic well-being (e.g., psychological well-being) were included in the study. The results showed that Machiavellianism and psychopathy were negatively and narcissism was positively associated with well-being. The pattern of associations between the dark triad and conceptions of happiness showed that Machiavellianism and psychopathy were associated with valuing personal happiness but also considering it to be out of one’s control, and to have negative consequences when achieved. People high on narcissism endorsed generally positive notions of happiness. Results showed that conceptions of happiness functioned as partial mediators in the relationships between the dark triad and well-being. Hence, it seems that the dark triad traits provide a context for the formation of certain beliefs surrounding the nature and value of well-being, which per se influence experienced levels of well-being.
Highlights
The Dark Triad (DT) refers to the three socially aversive, yet non-pathological, traits of Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism (Paulhus and Williams, 2002)
In line with the prior research (e.g., Aghababaei and Błachnio, 2015), the present results showed that Machiavellianism and psychopathy were negatively and narcissism was positively associated with well-being
The DT traits were better predictors of psycho-social well-being than subjective well-being, which is consistent with evidence that eudaimonic well-being depends more heavily than hedonic well-being on self- and impulsecontrol capacities (Joshanloo et al, 2021)
Summary
The Dark Triad (DT) refers to the three socially aversive, yet non-pathological, traits of Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism (Paulhus and Williams, 2002). The DT traits predict a wide range of workplace, educational, mating, interpersonal, and antisocial behaviors and tendencies (Furnham et al, 2013) as well as mental well-being (Aghababaei and Błachnio, 2015). It was hypothesized that the lay conceptions of happiness (i.e., beliefs about the nature, value, antecedents, and outcomes of happiness; Joshanloo, 2019) would mediate the relationship between the DT and mental well-being. Eight conceptions of happiness were included in this study. The outcome variables of the study consisted of three hedonic (life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) and two eudaimonic (psychological and social) elements of well-being.
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