Abstract
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to comply with rules of a sanitary regime and social distancing on a daily basis. The aim of our research was to assess the differences in the levels of Dark Triad traits between people who obeyed and disobeyed the pandemic restrictions. Additionally, we considered the possible correlation between the Dark Triad and the intensity of symptoms of depression and anxiety. A total of 604 Polish participants, whose average age was 28.95 ± 11.27 years, completed an online survey which measured Dark Triad traits using the Polish version of the Dirty Dozen test. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The results revealed a possible relationship between personality traits and compliance with pandemic restrictions. Individuals with higher levels of psychopathy tended to disobey newly introduced rules. On the other hand, a higher level of subclinical narcissism might have contributed to a better civil compliance. The results showed a significant positive correlation between the intensity of the Dark Triad and the occurrence of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, narcissism was linked to anxiety symptoms. These results can contribute to a better understanding of behavioural patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic within the group of individuals who exhibit the Dark Triad traits. Our conclusions might help to identify individuals who are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems.
Highlights
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced many countries all over the world to combat the fast-spreading virus
Anderson et al claimed that the compliance of individuals with COVID-19 rules was crucial to control the course of the coronavirus pandemic [2]
Machiavellianism (8.485 vs. 7.186; p < 0.000), while women presented a higher intensity of anxiety (9.278 vs. 7.794; p < 0.000)
Summary
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced many countries all over the world to combat the fast-spreading virus. The priority was to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 caused by people with symptoms of COVID-19 as well as by asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals [1]. Anderson et al claimed that the compliance of individuals with COVID-19 rules was crucial to control the course of the coronavirus pandemic [2]. This theory was considered most pertinent to western European countries. Citizens of those countries are used to many civil rights and liberties which are an essential part of their everyday existence
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