Direct and Indirect Relationships Between Dark Personality Traits and Loneliness Among Emerging Adults: The Mediating Role of Empathic Tendency

Abstract

This study aimed to explore whether empathic tendency has a mediating role in the relationship between dark triad personalities (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) and loneliness. To that end, data were collected from 510 undergraduate emerging adults (367 men, 137 women). Dark Triad Dirty Dozen, Empathic Tendency Scale, and UCLA Loneliness Scale were used as measures. The research findings indicated negative significant correlations among Machiavellianism and psychopathy, and empathic tendency. According to another finding on the correlations among the variables, there were positive significant correlations among Machiavellianism and psychopathy, and loneliness. On the other hand, significant correlations could not be observed among narcissism and empathic tendency, and loneliness. As for the findings on the mediating role of empathic tendency in the relationship between dark triad personalities and loneliness, empathic tendency acted as a complete mediator in the relationship between Machiavellianism and loneliness and between psychopathy and loneliness. Yet, empathic tendency was not found to be mediating the relationship between narcissism and loneliness. Moreover, Machiavellianism and psychopathy predicted .32 of loneliness via empathic tendency. The findings obtained were discussed and interpreted in light of the literature.