Abstract
Previous research investigated the linkage between the Dark Triad traits and subjective well-being, but the factors explaining individual differences in terms of cognitive strategies for achieving happiness remained poorly understood. This study (N = 460) examined the indirect effects of orientations to happiness in the link between dark personality traits and subjective well-being in terms of life satisfaction and positive emotion. Participants completed a questionnaire comprising the Dark Triad Questionnaire, the Orientations to Happiness scale, the Satisfaction with Life scale, and the PANAS. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and partial correlations, and structural equation model were applied to the data. Zero-order and partial correlations showed no significant associations of Machiavellianism and psychopathy with subjective well-being measures, and positive associations of narcissism with the three orientations to happiness and the two dimensions of subjective well-being. Indirect effects indicated that the bright side of narcissism sought the pursuit of the emotional component of SWB by adopting engaging activities. Further studies should replicate our findings.
Highlights
In recent years, the interest in well-being within the psychological field has grown rapidly in order to investigate the sources of happiness and the many aspects of human flourishing [1,2].In this vein, research on well-being has been derived from two perspectives
As for the hedonic perspective, it refers to the study of subjective well-being (SWB) operationalized in three components: more positive affect, less negative affect, and life satisfaction [4,5]
The measure is composed of 27 items, where respondents rate their agreement (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree) with statements such as “I tend to manipulate others to get my way” (i.e., Machiavellianism), “I tend to lack remorse”, and “I tend to want others to admire me”
Summary
The interest in well-being within the psychological field has grown rapidly in order to investigate the sources of happiness and the many aspects of human flourishing [1,2]. In this vein, research on well-being has been derived from two perspectives. The first, the hedonic approach, focuses on pleasure and happiness as well as on the achievement of well-being through the satisfaction of one’s desires. As for the hedonic perspective, it refers to the study of subjective well-being (SWB) operationalized in three components: more positive affect, less negative affect, and life satisfaction [4,5]. The first two components represent the more emotional and affective aspects of happiness, whereas the third is rather cognitively oriented, being based on the evaluations of one’s life circumstances
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