Working in the Dark? Exploring the Relationship Between the Dark Triad and Early Maladaptive Schemas

Abstract

AbstractEarly maladaptive schemas (EMS) may contribute to the Dark Triad’s (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy) dysfunctional workplace outcomes. EMS — the core concept of Schema Therapy — are entrenched emotional, cognitive, memories, and physiological patterns that form during early life in response to unmet needs and elaborate throughout life. As the workplace can involve hierarchy and power, EMS may be potentially reinforced in this context. This novel study aimed to explore the relationships between EMS and the Dark Triad facets within a working sample. The study also examined whether the Dark Triad facets yield distinct relationships with EMSs. The sample (N = 210) reported working ≥ 20 h per week in paid- or full-time role in private and public sectors. Participants completed an online self-report survey comprising the Young Schema Questionnaire Short Form-Third Edition, Five Factor Narcissism Inventory-Short Form (Antagonism and Extraversion facets), Five Factor Machiavellianism Inventory (Planfulness, Antagonism and Agency facets), and Corporate Psychopathy Inventory-Revised (Boldness, Ruthlessness, and Interpersonal Dominance facets). Zero-order correlations indicated that all Dark Triad facets significantly and positively correlated with the Entitlement/Grandiosity, Unrelenting Standards, and Punitiveness EMSs. Most Dark Triad facets positively correlated with Approval/Recognition Seeking and Mistrust/Abuse EMSs. The Entitlement/Grandiosity EMS demonstrated the strongest positive correlation with most Dark Triad facets. The results suggest that those with elevated Dark Triad traits in the working sample share a similar cognitive and emotional worldview (i.e., EMS) that may activate in the workplace context. Expanding this research could inform a ‘Dark’ Schema Workplace model and Schema Therapy interventions to potentially reduce the Dark Triad’s dysfunctional workplace outcomes.