Dark Triad Traits Research Articles

“An Alpha Wouldn't Spare an Emotion on a Woman”: A directed qualitative analysis of dark triad outcomes in women's relationships with Red Pill men

AbstractThe Dark Triad (DT) is a set of personality traits consisting of subclinical psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism. Separately, The Red Pill (TRP) is a seduction community part of an online men's movement that advocates incorporating DT traits and behaviors in romantic or sexual relationships with women. This study investigates the potential presence of DT influences in relationships with TRP‐affiliated men as described by former romantic partners. Using a directed content analysis of six semi‐structured interviews, four thematic categories emerged: relationship development, coaxing, outward appearances, and DT‐associated Internet behaviors. TRP men consistently displayed self‐interest and willingness to use manipulation to meet their needs, portraying themselves to their partners and the world as successful while callously disregarding partners' emotions in their pursuit of sex or social desirability. Participants' experiences of TRP men's behaviors aligned with prior knowledge regarding DT‐associated romantic and sexual relationships. This research may be used to inform future research connecting DT personalities and maladaptive social groups, as well as generating prevention strategies among relationship‐based practitioners.

Adaptation of the Short Dark Triad (SD3) to Spanish Adolescents.

(1) Background: The dark triad refers to a personality configuration mainly characterized by the presence of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Even though adolescence is a critical stage in the development of dark triad traits, to date, this construct has not been studied among adolescents, mainly due to the lack of a measurement instrument adapted to this population. (2) Methods: Using a sample of 1642 adolescents, an adaptation of the Short Dark Triad (SD3) is proposed for this population. To this end, we performed a confirmatory factor analysis of the scale and examined its reliability and the intensity of the dark triad components by sex and sexual orientation. (3) Results: The adapted version of the scale (The Short Dark Triad-Adolescent Version; SD3-A) yielded good psychometric results. Confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the theoretical model of the three factors of dark personality. The results confirmed the greater presence of dark traits in male adolescents, and differences were observed based on sexual orientation. (4) Conclusions: The Short Dark Triad-Adolescent Version (SD3-A) is an effective and comprehensive instrument for the estimation of dark traits in adolescents and can be used as a screening test for this population.

Dark triad traits, study and power motives among medical students–A cross-sectional study at a German medical faculty

BackgroundA good physician should be empathic and altruistic, among other qualities. Therefore, the levels of socially undesirable personality traits (Dark Triad) as well as implicit motives of achievement, affiliation and power (Multi-Motive Grid) among medical students as future physicians were analyzed at two different points in their medical training. MethodsThis study includes 380 medical students in their first year and 217 in their third year in Germany. All participants completed the Dirty Dozen (DD) and Multi-Motive Grid (MMG) questionnaires at the end of two different classes as paper-and-pencil tests. Relevant differences of the Dark Triad traits between the medical students and reference sample and the two different cohorts, as well as their implicit motives, the associations of Dark Triad traits and MMG components and gender differences of the Dark Triad traits were calculated. ResultsThere were no significant group differences between year one and year three medical students in narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism (Dark Triad). There were no significant differences between the medical students and reference sample except in psychopathy. Male students scored significantly higher in the Dark Triad traits than female students. In the MMG, first-year students scored significantly higher levels in Fear of Rejection, and lower levels in Hope of Success and Hope of Power than the third-year students. Some associations were found between narcissism and Machiavelliansim with Hope of Success, Hope of Power and Fear of power. ConclusionsDark Triad traits already appear to exist before the commencement of medical studies. These traits do not differ significantly between the medical students and reference sample; only a few MMG components seem to differ at different stages of their studies. This lack of differences between the medical students and validation cohort indicates that tests based on (undesirable) personality traits are not suitable criteria for the admission selection of medical students.

The association of Dark Triad personality traits with infidelity: Evidence from the Greek-cultural context

AbstractThe Dark Triad is an important aspect of human personality, and there is evidence that it associated with infidelity. The current research aimed to examine the association between Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Machiavellianism traits and different aspects of infidelity in the Greek cultural context. In particular, using a sample of 509 Greek-speaking participants [57.5% women, mean age 36.5 (SD = 11.7), 42.5% men, mean age 40.1 (SD = 13.1)], we found that higher scores in Psychopathy were associated with higher incidence of infidelity and willingness to be unfaithful to one's partner. Moreover, men and women who scored higher in Psychopathy were more likely to be detected by their partners when unfaithful. Men who scored high in Psychopathy were also more suspicious of their partners for being unfaithful than men who scored low. However, the scores in the Dark Triad traits did not predict the probability to detect a partner's infidelity neither for men nor for women. Overall, in the Greek cultural context, the Dark Triad traits were associated with certain aspects of infidelity.

Who is likely to be ostracized? The easy target is the Dark Triad

AbstractDrawing on the target-behavior mechanism and victim precipitation theory, we investigated the effect of the Dark Triad traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) on exposure to workplace ostracism. Through experimental and field studies, we found that individuals with high levels of Dark Triad traits were at high risk of being ostracized. Self-serving cognitions mediated the relationship between the Dark Triad traits and exposure to workplace ostracism, and collectivism orientation alleviated the relationship between self-serving cognitions and exposure to workplace ostracism. Our findings extend research on the impact of personality dispositions on workplace ostracism, providing implications for theory and practice.

Those who (enjoy to) hurt: The influence of dark personality traits on animal- and human directed sadistic pleasure

Background and objectivesSadistic pleasure – gratuitous enjoyment from inflicting pain on others – has devastating interpersonal and societal consequences. The current knowledge on non-sexual, everyday sadism – a trait that resides within the general population – is scarce. The present study therefore focussed on personality correlates of sadistic pleasure. It investigated the relationship between the Dark Triad traits, and both dispositional and state-level sadistic pleasure. MethodsN = 120 participants filled out questionnaires to assess their level of Dark Triad traits, psychopathy subfactors, and dispositional sadism. Then, participants engaged in an animal-directed task in which they were led to believe that they were killing bugs; and in a human-directed task where they could ostensibly noise blasts another participant. The two behavioral tasks were administered within-subjects, in randomized order. Sadistic pleasure was captured by increases in reported pleasure from pre-to post-task. ResultsAll Dark Triad traits related to increased dispositional sadism, with psychopathy showing the strongest link. The coldheartedness psychopathy subscale showed a unique combination with both self-reported sadism and increased pleasure following bug grinding. LimitationsPredominantly female and student sample, limiting generalizability of findings. ConclusionsOut of all Dark Triad components, psychopathy showed the strongest link with gaining pleasure from hurting others. The results underscore the differential predictive value of psychopathy’s subcomponents for sadistic pleasure. Coldheartedness can be considered especially disturbing because of its unique relationship to deriving joy from irreversible harm-infliction (i.e. killing bugs). Our findings further establish psychopathy – and especially its coldheartedness component – as the most adverse Dark Triad trait.

Grandiose narcissism associates with higher cognitive performance under stress through more efficient attention distribution: An eye-tracking study.

Narcissism is a part of the Dark Triad that consists also of the traits of Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Two main types of narcissism exist: grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Being a Dark Triad trait, narcissism is typically associated with negative outcomes. However, recent research suggests that at least the grandiose type may be linked (directly or indirectly) to positive outcomes including lower levels of psychopathology, higher school grades in adolescents, deeper and more strategic learning in university students and higher cognitive performance in experimental settings. The current pre-registered, quasi-experimental study implemented eye-tracking to assess whether grandiose narcissism indirectly predicts cognitive performance through wider distribution of attention on the Raven's Progressive Matrices task. Fifty-four adults completed measures of the Dark Triad, self-esteem and psychopathology. Eight months to one year later, participants completed the Raven's, while their eye-movements were monitored during high stress conditions. When controlling for previous levels of psychopathology, grandiose narcissism predicted higher Raven's scores indirectly, through increased variability in the number of fixations across trials. These findings suggest that grandiose narcissism predicts higher cognitive performance, at least in experimental settings, and call for further research to understand the implications of this seemingly dark trait for performance across various settings.

The Effect of the Dark Triad on Organizational Fraud

ABSTRACT Our personalities affect every decision we make and our moral code. When looking at crime, we often see personality traits being used as possible explanatory factors of why crimes are committed. Fraud is no exception to this. Previous research suggests that when trying to predict which individuals are more likely to commit fraud, we should start the investigation with personality traits. The Dark Triad (DT) consists of three negative traits: narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism. Previous research found that each of the Dark Triad traits has a strong correlation to dishonesty, selfishness, and unethical behaviors (Harrison, Summers, and Mennecke 2018; Lee and Ashton 2005). The Harrison et al. (2018) study found that the presence of the Dark Triad leads to increased online fraud risk. Our research resulted in a similar conclusion for occupational fraud. In addition, we found that income level, education level, and age correlated with occupational fraud risk.

Dark triad traits, gender, and leadership effectiveness among private sector employees

In today's complex organizational landscape, understanding the dynamics of effective leadership is crucial for long-term success. A key area of inquiry in this realm involves exploring how personality traits shape leadership behavior and outcomes. One prominent set of traits garnering attention is the Dark Triad, comprising narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, characterized by manipulative tendencies, lack of empathy, and self-interest. This paper synthesizes existing research on the Dark Triad, highlighting its manifestations, prevalence, and implications for leadership effectiveness. It also examines the role of gender in shaping these relationships, drawing on studies exploring gender differences in Dark Triad traits and their impact on leadership outcomes. Furthermore, the paper delves into specific traits within the Dark Triad, such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, discussing their historical context, behavioral manifestations, and organizational implications. This study aims to explore how dark triad personality intersect with leadership effectiveness among 200 employees aged 20-50 residing in, India. Short Dark Triad Personality Test (SD3) by Jones & Paulhus (2013) and The Dhar and Pethe Leadership Effectiveness Scale (DLES) by Dhar and Pethe were employed as tools in the study. The analysis of the data was done using IBM SPSS. The findings offer insights into the real-world dynamics of dark triad traits and leadership effectiveness in contemporary urban workplaces. The study found that the Dark Triad, including psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, doesn't impact a leader's leadership effectiveness in the private sector. It also found no correlation between gender and leadership efficacy. However, further research is needed to explore additional variables and validate these findings in diverse professional environments.

Pet attachment and owner personality.

Research points to a relationship between owner personality and strength of attachment to one's pet, with implications for psychological health. So far, studies in this area, albeit sparse, have focused on the 'Big Five' traits of owner personality. The 'Dark Triad' is a cluster of traits that has also been linked to emotional deficits, but has been overlooked in relation to pet attachment. This study therefore examined the association between owner personality and pet attachment, focusing on both the 'Big Five' and 'Dark Triad' traits of personality. A cross-sectional design was employed to collect quantitative data from dog and cat owners across the globe between May-June 2023. A purpose-designed online survey collected sociodemographic details, along with information on pet ownership, strength of the pet-owner bond and participant personality, assessed using the Big Five personality scale and the Short Dark Triad scale. The survey was fully completed by 759 dog and 179 cat owners. Analysis revealed significant correlations between many of the participants' personality traits, both within and between scales. Strength of pet attachment was positively correlated with neuroticism and conscientiousness, and, more weakly, to Machiavellianism. Regression analysis revealed that females, dog owners, people over the age of 50 and individuals who had children under 18 years to care for were more strongly attached to their pets than others. Both neuroticism and conscientiousness were found to be significant predictors of participants' pet attachment scores. None of the Dark Triad traits significantly predicted the criterion. This study points to a relationship between strength of attachment to one's pet and owner personality, at least as measured using the Big Five approach to personality assessment. There was little to support an association between the Dark Triad traits and strength of attachment to one's pet, although the link between these characteristics and attachment styles is still unknown. The investigation lends support for the idea that high attachment levels are associated with personality traits aligned to psychological ill-health. Further work is recommended in this area, with a greater focus on both strength and quality (e.g., attachment style) of the pet-owner bond.

Emophilia: psychometric properties of the emotional promiscuity scale and its association with personality traits, unfaithfulness, and romantic relationships in a Scandinavian sample.

Emophilia is a suggested stable phenomenon referring to how often and easily an individual falls in love (Jones, 2011). The current study investigated the psychometric properties of the Emotional Promiscuity Scale (EPS, i.e., a measure of emophilia) and its association with personality traits, romantic relationships, and unfaithfulness in a Scandinavian sample. The sample consisted of 2,607 participants, who were recruited through Norwegian and Swedish newspapers. Descriptive analyses of the EPS and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to verify the previously obtained two-factor structure were conducted. Correlations between emophilia and the Big Five and Dark Triad traits were calculated to investigate the discriminative validity of the EPS. Lastly, negative binomial regression analyses were run in which emophilia comprised the independent variable and the number of romantic relationships and number of times being unfaithful constituted the dependent variables. The EPS had satisfactory internal reliability and the responses to the items were normally distributed. The CFA indicated a two-factor structure, although the two factors correlated highly, justifying collapsing them into one dimension. Emophilia showed satisfactory discriminant validity (r < 00.40) against the personality traits included. Lastly, emophilia was positively associated with the number of romantic relationships and times being unfaithful. Future research should aim to improve our understanding of the psychological and behavioral aspects of emophilia.

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

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.

Dark Triad and the attitude toward military violence against civilians: The role of moral disengagement

AbstractScholars pay great attention to sociopsychological factors that predict attitudes toward military action, but they rarely address personality variables. The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between the Dark Triad traits, general moral disengagement, and military attitudes. We conducted three surveys between May and November 2022 in three samples of Russian residents (N = 736, 795, and 752). The results showed that the Dark Triad was only marginally related to attitudes toward military action abroad, but emerged as a consistent positive predictor of support for violence against civilians with psychopathy showing the strongest effect. Moreover, this relationship was mediated by moral disengagement. At the same time, Big Five traits and sociopsychological variables predicted the attitudes toward military action, but were generally unrelated to the attitudes toward violence against civilians. The findings suggest the existence of distinct pathways underlying the support of general military action and unethical military action.

Psychological Background of Sexual Dysfunctions – a Comparative Study on Hungarian and Spanish Samples

IntroductionSexual dysfunctions are prevalent issues affecting individuals’ sexual well-being and relationships. These conditions encompass a range of difficulties in sexual functioning, from desire and arousal to orgasm and pain. Psychological factors, such as dysfunctional beliefs about sexuality, play a significant role in the development and perpetuation of sexual dysfunctions (Nobre, Pinto-Gouveia, 2006; Nobre, Pinto-Gouveia, 2008). Additionally, personality traits, particularly those associated with the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy), have been suggested as potential protective factors to sexual problems, probably in interaction with sexual assertiveness and a wider experience in sexual behavior (Pilch, Smolorz, 2019).ObjectivesThis study investigates the interplay between sexual dysfunctions, sexual dysfunctional beliefs, and Dark Triad personality traits, and compares the differences and similarities in the two different cultural (Hungarian and Spanish) samples.MethodsBoth samples were collected online by sharing the questionnaires on various platforms. Apart from the demographic and sexuality related background questions (age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, sexual lifestyle, etc.) our set of questionnaires included the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ, Male and Female Version) and The Short Dark Triad Questionnaire (SD3).ResultsThe Hungarian sample consists of 465 participants, the Spanish of 215. However, the processing of the data is still underway, our preliminary results show, that there is a connection between the number of dysfunctional beliefs and occurrence of sexual dysfunctions. Just like Dark Triad traits seem to have negative correlation with dysfunctions.Conclusions Our research gives an opportunity to a better understanding of the psychological background of sexual dysfunctions. By taking in consideration the relationship between dysfunctional beliefs and said disorders, professionals can optimize sexual education to aid the prevention of them. Nevertheless, our findings can help the practice of psychotherapy in finding more advanced treatments, thus improving individuals’ overall sexual, and general well-being.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Innovation in Traditional and Online Criminal Justice Ethics Courses: Integrating Un-Grading, Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Style Role Plays, and Real-World Cases to Promote Learning

Ethics is a critical subject for criminal justice students, yet traditional efforts to teach the subject effectively have been less than successful. Research on student outcomes in online learning, and the proliferation of online education, give rise to concerns about potential further reductions in effectiveness of ethics training when delivered asynchronously. This paper presents a mixed-method, pretest/posttest evaluation of two criminal justice ethics course sections, containing multiple innovative teaching components. Changes in student ethical judgements in scenarios, Dark Triad traits, and Value Orientations were compared. Asynchronous and face-to-face students demonstrated similar ethics knowledge but improved in different content areas. Across sections, students rated their course experience very favorably, reporting they appreciated the innovations used. These observations highlight the need to explore novel instructional strategies and technological tools for engaging students in ethics coursework, with specific attention to the distinct needs and preferences of online and face-to-face learners.

Personality and motivation of physical activity in adolescent girls: effects of perceived parental support and social physical anxiety

In the present study, we investigated the relationship between personality and motivation for physical activity while introducing perceived parental support and social physical anxiety in adolescent girls (N = 318, Mage: 16.19 ± 0.51 years). The present study was a retrospective correlational study that was conducted to analyze of a path model. Dark triad traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, student’s motivation for physical activity, social physique anxiety, and participants’ perceptions of parents’ behaviors were measured. The findings indicated that psychopathy and Machiavellianism were directly and indirectly associated with motivation for physical activity, but Narcissism could only directly predict the motivation for physical activity. Also, need-thwarting (the most), need-supportive and social physical anxiety could predict motivation for physical activity. This model of the result suggests that among adolescent girls, dark triad personality could, directly and indirectly, predict motivation with need-supportive and need-thwarting and also social physical anxiety. It seems that the sense of importance and more attention to oneself in adolescent girls, which exists in the narcissistic personality, can directly lead to more motivation for physical activity. Also, the duplicitous ways of Machiavellian people in pursuing their motives were confirmed in this research.

Unmasking the Nexus between Maladaptive Alcohol use and Dark Triad Personality Traits

As young adults enter college, many seem to increase their alcohol consumption. Whether this behavior change is solely due to environmental factors, such as peer pressure or lack of supervision, has not been fully separated from developing or emerging intrapersonal traits that might facilitate the behavior. This trend underscores the importance of investigating the relationship between excessive drinking habits and deviant personality traits. This study, aimed at investigating the relationship between "dark triad" personality traits and harmful alcohol behaviors, may provide valuable insights into the social cultures on college campuses that promote maladaptive drinking habits. Based on the trait theory of personality, we hypothesized that dark triad traits would be associated with negative alcohol behaviors. To test our hypothesis, we administered the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ) and Short Dark Triad scale (SD3) to 800 participants. After cleaning the data, we analyzed 799 responses to study measures and demographic items. Our findings revealed that, of the dark personality traits, Machiavellianism and psychopathy had small positive associations with harmful alcohol consumption. Moreover, we found that both personality and Greek life participation were significant predictors of alcohol misuse. This study may serve as a stepping-stone for future research into the interplay between the behavioral tendencies and cultural settings in which alcohol abuse occurs among college students. Thus, provides additional insight into a complex problem plaguing college communities.

Paradise for the self-interested? The association between economic inequality and the Dark Triad

Does an environment of high economic inequality encourage and breed the Dark Triad traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy)? In four studies, using correlational and experimental methods, we sought to elucidate the nexus between economic inequality perception and the Dark Triad. Study 1 (N = 454) indicated that individuals who perceive greater inequality score higher on the Dark Triad traits (except for psychopathy). When living in an economically unequal context, people tend to endorse the behaviors and mindsets of the Dark Triad traits except for psychopathy (Study 2; N = 199). People considered residents in an economically unequal society as high on the Dark Triad traits (Study 3; N = 159). Moreover, the Dark Triad traits (except for psychopathy) are considered as adaptive, allowing people to obtain more benefits in an economically unequal society (Study 4; N = 157). This study extends the determinants of the Dark Triad traits to the economic environment, thus enriching our understanding of the Dark Triad and its distal shaping factor.

Exploring How the Dark Triad and Curiosity Shape the Trajectory of Affective Events in Response to COVID-19 Stress and Psychological Well-Being: A Three-Way Interaction Model

Background: The present research relied on the affective events theory to develop a framework explaining how daily micro-events trigger affective reactions that, in turn, influence quality-of-life indicators (i.e., psychological well-being and COVID-19 stress). We further delineated theoretical arguments for curiosity as a boundary condition that moderated this relation and proposed the dark triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) as a threatening factor. Methods: We conducted two studies to test the model. Study one analyzed the moderated mediation model regarding COVID-19 stress (n = 241), and study two (n = 653) analyzed the model regarding psychological well-being as the outcome. Results: Study one demonstrated that daily hassles increased COVID-19 stress via a negative effect, but this was not contingent on the levels of curiosity and the dark triad traits. However, the mediating path of positive affect between daily uplifts and COVID-19 stress was conditional upon the levels of curiosity and the dark triad traits (Machiavellianism and psychopathy), such that when individuals scored high on curiosity and dark traits, the indirect effect became stronger. The results showed that narcissism did not moderate the moderated mediation relationship. Study two showed that daily uplifts boosted psychological well-being through positive affect, and this relation was dependent on curiosity and on the three dark traits, such that it became weaker as curiosity decreased and the dark triad traits increased. We also found that daily hassles, by triggering negative affect, decreased psychological well-being, in particular for those who scored lower on curiosity and higher on psychopathy and narcissism (but not for Machiavellianism). Conclusions: Overall, COVID-19 stress seems to be more responsive to daily hassles than to daily uplifts. Nevertheless, when daily uplifts are factored in, they foster a sense of well-being that helps reduce COVID-19-related stress, especially in individuals who are naturally curious and exhibit high levels of Machiavellian and psychopathic traits. Conversely, psychological well-being appears to be more influenced by situational factors, as it is affected by both types of daily micro-events. We discuss the implications of both studies in light of the affective events theory.

Malevolent Monitoring: Dark Triad Traits, Cyber Dating Abuse, and the Instrumental Role of Self-Control.

Cyber dating abuse (CDA) concerns the use of digital technology to control, monitor, and hurt one's intimate partner. CDA can have profound detrimental outcomes, such as mental health problems. As such, it is important to identify intrapersonal factors that may explain these behaviors. Previous research suggests that one such factor is the personality cluster of Dark Triad traits (DTT), comprising Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Additionally, DTT and CDA perpetration have both been linked to poor self-control ability, but these relationships have not yet been tested together in one model. As such, the present study examines if individuals' poor self-control ability mediates the relationship between the DTT and CDA perpetration. To test these associations, we conducted a survey study among a representative sample of Belgian adults (n = 1,144; Mage = 47.66 years; 51.3% female). Findings from correlation analyses revealed that all three DTT were individually associated with CDA perpetration, such that higher scores on these traits corresponded with more CDA perpetration. Additionally, pathway analyses from structural equation modeling revealed that individuals' poor self-control ability fully explained the relationship between Machiavellianism and narcissism and CDA perpetration, and partially explained the relationship between psychopathy and CDA perpetration. As our findings suggest that self-control plays an instrumental role in explaining why individuals control and monitor their partner via digital technology, prevention and intervention efforts should seek ways to improve individuals' self-control ability in situations that may trigger such harmful interpersonal behaviors, particularly among individuals who exhibit Dark Triad personality traits.