The Relationship Between the Dark Triad Personality Traits, Motivation at Work, and Burnout Among HR Recruitment Workers

The relationship between the Dark Triad and academic burnout mediated by perfectionistic self-presentation

Individuals with dark personality traits are more prone to burnout, but this was not yet investigated in academia. Perfectionistic self-presentation (PSPS), an interpersonal expression of perfectionism, could be an explaining factor. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the dark triad (Machiavellianism, vulnerable and grandiose narcissism, and psychopathy) and academic burnout, and whether the PSPS total score and its dimensions (perfectionistic self-promotion, nondisplay of imperfection, and nondisclosure of imperfection) mediates this. We expected that higher dark triad traits would be associated with higher academic burnout and that this would be explained by higher PSPS. Hypotheses included expectations for each PSPS dimension as well. Questionnaires were completed by 304 bachelor/master students (Mage = 22.81 years). Mediations were performed for each dark triad trait with total PSPS and each of its dimensions separately as mediator, and academic burnout as dependent variable. Total PSPS and almost all of its dimensions positively and significantly mediated the relation between Machiavellianism as well as psychopathy and academic burnout (small effect sizes). In contrast, only the PSPS dimension nondisplay of imperfection was a significant, positive mediator of the relation between grandiose narcissism and academic burnout (medium effect size). The other mediations with grandiose or vulnerable narcissism were non-significant. Future research should investigate this further, for instance by using the standard dark triad scales. Finally, this study offers insights for interventions and prevention of academic burnout by highlighting the unique impact of each dark triad trait. For example, those high on Machiavellianism may benefit from tools to deal with cynicism and perfectionism, ultimately lowering the risk for academic burnout.

The dark side of mental toughness: a meta-analysis of the relationship between the dark triad traits and mental toughness

Introduction

This meta-analysis investigates the relationships between the Dark Triad personality traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) and mental toughness. Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the influence of these traits on mental toughness. The objective of this meta-analysis is to synthesize existing literature and provide a comprehensive understanding of how Dark Triad traits correlate with mental toughness.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 7 databases, Data were extracted by correlation and analyzed using a random-effects model.

Results

The results yielding 27 effect sizes with a total of 12,378 participants, revealed a significant moderate positive association between narcissism and mental toughness (r = 0.327, p < 0.001), suggesting that individuals with higher levels of narcissism tend to exhibit greater mental toughness. However, no significant associations were found between Machiavellianism (r = 0.023, p = 0.719) or psychopathy (r = -0.022, p = 0.625) and mental toughness.

Discussion

The findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the Dark Triad traits and their differential associations with adaptive psychological constructs, highlighting the unique role of narcissism in mental toughness. This meta-analysis provides valuable insights for future research and practical applications in fostering adaptive aspects of narcissism while mitigating its potential maladaptive consequences.

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

Background

A 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.

Methods

This 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.

Results

There 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.

Conclusions

Dark 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.

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.

When Do Narcissists Burn Out? The Bright and Dark Side of Narcissism in Surgeons

This study addresses narcissism as an important psychological factor for the prediction of burnout. Previous research has produced inconsistent findings on whether narcissism is beneficial or detrimental to the development of burnout which is due to the fact that narcissism is viewed as an overall construct rather than on a dimensional level. This study applied a two-dimensional approach to narcissism in burnout. Three hundred-fifty-two surgeons from Germany were asked to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire. Linear regression analyses revealed that high scores in admiration predicted high personal fulfillment, low emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization. For rivalry, the opposite picture emerged. The results indicate that admiration seems to have a protecting effect, whereas rivalry appears to promote burnout severity.

The Association of Volunteer Motivation and Thriving at Work of College Students During COVID-19: Job Burnout and Psychological Capital as Mediators

Thriving at work is a type of mental state in which an individual feels vigorous and learning at the same time in the job. Previous studies have shown that individual internal motivation is relevant to thriving at work and volunteer behaviors, but the role of motivation is still to be further explored. Based self-determination theory, this study focuses on the mediating effects of job burnout and psychological capital on the relationship between volunteer motivation and thriving at work. Three hundred forty-nine college student volunteers who participated in psychological assistance volunteer activities during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated using the Volunteer Function Motivation Inventory, Maslach Burnout Inventory, PsyCap Questionnaire, and Thriving at work scale. The results indicated that job burnout and psychological capital mediate the relationship between volunteer motivation and thriving at work. The results not only offer important theoretical insights of Volunteer Motivation and Thriving at Work, but also generate practical implications regarding how to use motivating Volunteer behavior and enhanced wellbeing at work.

The dark web of machiavellianism and psychopathy: Moral disengagement in IT organizations

In the current paper, we were interested in examining a series of predictors of organizational moral disengagement, namely Machiavellianism and psychopathy, along with a series of demographic variables (i.e., gender, age, and work experience). Our sample consisted of 114 IT employees aged 21 to 54 (M = 28.51, 62% males). We used a cross-sectional approach and an original scale to measure organizational moral disengagement. The hierarchical regression analysis suggested that the most important predictor of organizational moral disengagement was Machiavellianism, followed by gender (i.e., males). A significant, negative association emerged between organizational moral disengagement and age, suggesting that the older we grow, the lower the organizational moral disengagement. Machiavellianism and psychopathy were significantly associated with all moral disengagement mechanisms, except one - diffusion of responsibility. The most powerful association we found were between Machiavellianism and moral justification and between psychopathy and euphemistic language. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Development of the hungarian version of the short dark triad questionnaire (SD3-HU): psychometric properties and validity

The present studies were aimed at developing the Hungarian version of the Short Dark Triad questionnaire (SD3-HU). The internal structure of the translated questionnaire was examined with confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling. Then the construct and concurrent validity of the Hungarian version was tested. The obtained results were based on a total of seven independent samples (NTOTAL = 2161). While the internal structure of the SD3-HU showed inconsistencies with that of the original SD3, it proved consistent with adaptations developed in other languages. The SD3-HU showed adequate construct and concurrent validity. In line with the conceptual framework of, and previous empirical findings on the Dark Triad, each dark trait showed the expected associations with broad personality dimensions, sensation seeking, character strengths, work motivation, and counterproductive work behaviors. Furthermore, self-ratings on the SD3-HU were consistent with peer ratings. In sum, the SD3-HU is a reliable and valid measure of the dark traits.

The basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration scale at work: A validation in the Polish language

The aim of this research project was to validate the work-related version of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) into the Polish language and culture. Although studies have demonstrated the benefits associated with basic psychological need satisfaction and the costs associated with need frustration at work, the concept of needs has been neglected both in Polish scientific research and in practical organizational studies. The adaptation of the BPNSFS-Work Domain may change this situation and stimulate research in the Polish community. The scale has been validated in a sample consisting of three occupational groups: healthcare workers, education staff and customer service workers (N = 1315, Mage = 43.8). The findings suggest that the Polish scale has robust psychometric features. The CFA analysis proves that the scale has a six-dimensional structure similar to the original scale. These dimensions show satisfactory to high Cronbach's α and McDonalds ω reliability, and high criterion validity is shown by association of the six need dimensions with correlates of both positive (i.e., engagement, job crafting and self-efficacy) and negative aspects of work (i.e., burnout and stress). The structure of the scale is the same in all three occupational groups, although the regression weights and covariances are only partially invariant. The validated version of the BPNSFS-Work Domain can be used in future basic and applied studies in the paradigm of self-determination theory.

The Dark Triad of Personality: Is Psychopathy a Good Predictor of Workplace Stress?

Background

Psychopathy as an antisocial characteristic of an individual is characterized by a lack of empathy, guilt, inability to control impulsive behavior, irresponsibility, irritability and aggressive behavior. Because of the traits that underlie this factor, we hypothesized that psychopaths would experience more stress in the work environment. Stress, in this article, is operationalized within Karasek's model of stress which consider that contextual variables (excessive demands on work, lack of social support, and lack of control at work) are responsible for experiencing stress at the workplace. This kind of work context, according to our assumption, can affect psychopaths to have a weaker response to stressful situations.

Objective

To determine the predictive power of psychopathy as a factor in the dark triad in order to explain the workplace stress.

Methods

We conducted the study in one company on a sample of 235 respondents. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Questionnaire, the Dark Triad Questionnaire (SD27) and the Copenhagen Questionnaire for measuring cognitive, behavioral and somatic stress.

Results

The mean age of the respondents was 39.04±10.27 years. Using standard regression analysis, we found that the dark triad model is the only significant one in explaining cognitive stress, and a significant predictor is psychopathy.

Conclusion

In majority of previous studies, psychopathy has not been associated with stress, and the findings are important for future research that should shed light on the complex relationship between psychopathy and stress.

The Dark Triad of Personality: Is Psychopathy a Good Predictor of Workplace Stress?

Background

Psychopathy as an antisocial characteristic of an individual is characterized by a lack of empathy, guilt, inability to control impulsive behavior, irresponsibility, irritability and aggressive behavior. Because of the traits that underlie this factor, we hypothesized that psychopaths would experience more stress in the work environment. Stress, in this article, is operationalized within Karasek's model of stress which consider that contextual variables (excessive demands on work, lack of social support, and lack of control at work) are responsible for experiencing stress at the workplace. This kind of work context, according to our assumption, can affect psychopaths to have a weaker response to stressful situations.

Objective

To determine the predictive power of psychopathy as a factor in the dark triad in order to explain the workplace stress.

Methods

We conducted the study in one company on a sample of 235 respondents. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Questionnaire, the Dark Triad Questionnaire (SD27) and the Copenhagen Questionnaire for measuring cognitive, behavioral and somatic stress.

Results

The mean age of the respondents was 39.04±10.27 years. Using standard regression analysis, we found that the dark triad model is the only significant one in explaining cognitive stress, and a significant predictor is psychopathy.

Conclusion

In majority of previous studies, psychopathy has not been associated with stress, and the findings are important for future research that should shed light on the complex relationship between psychopathy and stress.

Dark Entrepreneurship, the ‘Dark Triad’ and Its Potential ‘Light Triad’ Realization in ‘Green Entrepreneurship’

This contribution seeks to achieve three main objectives. First it draws on a substantial, but often overlooked literature on wide-scale international decline in entrepreneurship as recorded in the ‘business dynamics’ literature. This has serious implications for academic study of entrepreneurship which must re-direct its focus to problems of entrepreneurial unattractiveness dating from at least the 1980s. More important, public policy makers and political ideologists need further to be apprised of the erroneous nature of many of their beliefs and further change the subsidy regimes they bestow on often unproductive entrepreneurship. Second, the contribution seeks one part of the explanation of the declining attractiveness of entrepreneurship in the psychology of the ‘dark triad’ of negative personality traits that has been connected to the literature on ‘dark entrepreneurship’ as a possible and partial, but important reason for the growing unattractiveness of entrepreneurship. The contribution devotes attention to the ‘Mindfulness’ movement in considering the detoxification of ‘dark entrepreneurship’. Finally, in what may be an original response to this analysis, the contribution draws attention to recent work on a putative ‘light triad’ of personality traits and applies it, possibly for the first time, to secondarily researched accounts of ‘green entrepreneurship’. The conclusion is that there may be a future for green entrepreneurship as a means for recovery in the current status of more traditional ‘business dynamics’.