Psychometric properties of a scale to measure the dark side of personality / Propriedades psicométricas de uma escala para medir o lado escuro da personalidade

The psychometric characteristics of the Dark Triad Scale in an Argentinian context are presented. Two successive studies were carried out. Three hundred sixteen people, with an average age of 34.48 years (SD = 10.57), participated in Study 1. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a three-factor structure with suitable internal consistency (Machiavellianism: α = 0.92; narcissism: α = 0.91, and psychopathy: α = 0.89). Two hundred seventy-five people, with an average age of 32 years (SD = 8.10), participated in Study 2. A confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the three-factor structure. The three factors reached Satisfactory Composite Reliability (greater than 0.70) and adequate Convergent-Discriminant Validity (Average Variance Extrated greater than 0.50). The invariance of the scale's parameters was demonstrated by sex. The results indicate that the Argentinian version of the Dark Triad Scale measures the dark side of personality with appropriate validity and reliability, both in men and women.

Este estudo apresenta as características psicométricas da Dark Triad Scale para o contexto da Argentina. Dois estudos sucessivos foram realizados. Participaram do primeiro estudo trezentas e dezesseis pessoas, com uma idade média de 34,48 anos (DP = 10,57). A análise fatorial exploratória indicou uma estrutura de três fatores com adequada consistência interna (Maquiavelismo: α = 0,92; narcisismo: α = 0,91, e psicopatia: α = 0,89). Do segundo estudo participaram duzentas e setenta e cinco pessoas, com uma idade média de 32 anos (DP = 8,10). A análise fatorial confirmatória confirmou a adequação da estrutura trifatorial. Os três fatores resultantes apresentaram Confiabilidade Composta Satisfatória (maior que 0,70) e indicadores adequados de validade convergente-discriminante (AVE maior que 0,50). A invariância dos parâmetros da escala foi demonstrada por meio do sexo. Os resultados indicam que a versão argentina da Dark Triad Scale mede o lado escuro da personalidade com validade e confiabilidade adequadas, tanto em homens quanto em mulheres.

The relationship between age, gender and the dark triad of personality

Background: Dark triad refers to a set of traits that include the tendency to seek admiration and specialtreatment (otherwise known as Narcissism), to be callous and insensitive (Psychopathy) and to manipulateothers (Machiavellianism). The purpose of this study was to study the difference in dark triad amongstindividuals with different age groups and gender.Methods: Convenient sampling was used to collect the data. A total of 90 participants (44 males and 46females) participated in the study with consent. The respondents belonged to three age groups: earlyadulthood (20-34), midlife (35-49) and mature adulthood (50-64). A 27-item version of The Short DarkTriad (SD3) was used for the assessment of dark triad.Results: Descriptive statistics, t-test and one way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. The findingsindicate that there is no significant difference in Narcissism and Machiavellianism between males andfemales however there is a significant difference in Psychopathy between males and females. Also, the Fvalue indicate that there is a significant difference in the three personality traits in reference to different agegroups. Post hoc analysis indicates a significant difference in psychopathic behavior between 20-35yrs(early adulthood) and 36-49 (mid life adulthood) age groups and between 20-35yrs and 50-64yrs (matureadulthood) age groups. However there is no significant difference in psychopathic behavior between 36-49yrs and 50-64yrs age group.Conclusion: Males score higher on psychological tendencies as compared to females. Secondly,psychopathic tendencies are more in participants who are in early adulthood (20-34) than people in midlife(35-49) and mature adulthood (50-64).

Dark Triad Dirty Dozen: Avaliando seus Parâmetros Via TRI / Dark Triad Dirty Dozen: Assessing its Parameters Through IRT / Dark Triad Dirty Dozen: Evaluando sus Parámetros Vía TRI

O presente estudo objetivou explorar os parâmetros psicométricos da Dirty Dozen por meio da Teoria de Resposta ao Item (TRI), utilizando o Modelo de Resposta Graduada. Participaram 284 pessoas, com média de idade de 24,2 anos (DP = 8,76). Inicialmente, checou-se a dimensionalidade da escala, sendo encontrados resultados que apoiam uma estrutura composta por três fatores oblíquos (CFI = 0,99; TLI = 0,98; RMSEA = 0,03). Portanto, as análises de TRI foram realizadas separadamentepara cada fator. Posteriormente, verificou-se que os itens discriminam adequadamente os participantes, sendo aqueles que pertencem ao fator narcisismo os mais endossados; maquiavelismo e psicopatia exigiram uma quantidade maior de theta para haver concordância com o conteúdo do item, quiçá em virtude desses traços serem socialmente indesejáveis. Estima-se que os objetivos do estudo foram alcançados, conhecendo evidências dessa medida breve a partir da TRI, referendando seu uso em possibilidades futuras.(AU)

The present study aimed to explore the psychometric parameters of the Dirty Dozen through the Item Response Theory (IRT), using the Graduated Response Model. Participants included 284 individuals, with a mean age of 24.2 years (SD = 8.76). Initially the dimensionality of the scale was checked and results that support a three-oblique-factor structure were found (CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.03). Therefore, IRT analyses were performed separately for each factor. Then, it was verified that the items discriminate participants properly, being those items belonging to the narcissism factor the ones mostly endorsed; Machiavellianism and psychopathy demanded a greater amount of theta in order to agree with the item content, perhaps because these traits are socially undesirable. It is considered that the aims of the study were achieved, providing evidence of this short measure through the IRT, showing the possibilities of its use in future studies.(AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar los parámetros psicométricos del Dirty Dozen por medio de la Teoría de Respuesta al Ítem (TRI), utilizando el Modelo de Respuesta Graduada. Participaron 284 personas con edad promedio de 24,2 años (DP = 8,76). Inicialmente se verificó la dimensionalidad de la escala, encontrándose resultados que apoyan una estructura de três factores oblicuos (CFI = 0,99; TLI = 0,98; RMSEA = 0,03). Por lo tanto los análisis de TRI fueron realizados separadamente para cada factor. Después se verificó que los ítems discriminan adecuadamente los participantes, siendo aquellos que pertenecen al factor narcisismo más endosados; maquiavelismo y psicopatía exigieron una cantidad mayor de theta para que existiese concordancia con el contenido del ítem, quizás debido a que esos rasgos son socialmente indeseables. Se estima que los objetivos del estudio fueron alcanzados, conociendo evidencias de esta medida breve a partir de la TRI, apoyando su uso en posibilidades futuras.(AU)

The mediating effect of positive coping style between Machiavellianism and loneliness in adolescents / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship among Machiavellianism,loneliness and coping style in adolescents.Methods 850 junior middle school students were recruited and assessed with Kiddie Machiavellianism Scale,Self-esteem Scale,and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (for students).Mediating effect was analyzed by multiple regression analysis.Results ① The scores of Machiavellianism,loneliness,positive coping and negative coping were (37.35±7.52),(30.21 ± 10.72),(21.07±6.12) and (9.44± 3.84) respectively.② Machiavellianism was positively correlated with negative coping style (r=0.192,P＜0.01) and loneliness (r=0.263,P＜ 0.01),as well as negatively correlated with positive coping style (r=-0.244,P＜0.01).③ Positive coping style partially mediated the effect of Machiavellianism on loneliness,and the mediating role accounted for 37.72％ for the whole effect.Conclusion The higher the Machiavellianism is,the more serious the loneliness is.Positive coping style partially mediates the relations between Machiavellianism and loneliness.

Materialismo y su relación con soledad y maquiavelismo / Materialism and its relation with loneliness and machiavellianism

Este estudio analizó la relación entre materialismo, soledad y maquiavelismo. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 248 trabajadores chilenos (135 mujeres y 113 varones) con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 70 años. Los resultados de los análisis de regresión lineal múltiple jerárquica muestran que el materialismo presenta relaciones tanto con la soledad como con el maquiavelismo, aun cuando se controlan variables sociodemográficas. De acuerdo con lo hipotetizado, se observó que los participantes más materialistas se caracterizaron por presentar mayores niveles de soledad y maquiavelismo.

This research analyzes the relation between materialism, loneliness and machiavellianism. The sample was conformed by 248 workers (135 females and 113 males) whose ages ranged from 18 to 70 years old. A hierarchical multiple lineal regression shows that materialism had a relation with both loneliness and machiavellianism, even when socio-demographic variables are controlled. According to was hypothesized, more materialistic participants are characterized by higher levels of loneliness and machiavellianism.