Sex differences in the dark triad and the association with relationship satisfaction / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To examine the sex differences in the dark triad and its association with relationship satisfaction.@*Methods@#Totally 490 participants from institutions and corporations were assessed by Mach-Ⅳ, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP), Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and Big Five Inventory (BFI-20). Statistical analysis was performed by correlation analysis, t test and hierarchical regression analysis.@*Results@#The scores of Relationship Assessment and dark triad were shown as follows relationship assessment (27.63±5.09), Machiavellism (53.52±8.02), psychopathy (38.45±7.52), narcissistic (18.41±7.27). Men scored higher than women in dark triad (tMachiavellism=3.226, tPsychopathy=3.070, tNarcissistic=2.900, all P<0.01). There were significant correlations between machiavellism and psychopathy, and also between psychopathy and narcissistic(r=-0.170-0.572). Linear regression showed that Machiavellism and psychopathy were consistent negatively associated with relationship satisfaction for both men and women (bMachiavellism-men=-0.104, tMachiavellism-men=-2.352, bPsychopathy-men=-0.131, tPsychopathy-men=-2.739, bMachiavellism-women=-0.121, tMachiavellism-women=-2.662; bPsychopathy-women=-0.106, tPsychopathy-women=-2.189, all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in narcissism between male and female.@*Conclusion@#For the dark triad, there are obviously sex differences and its association with relationship satisfaction are partly confirmed.