Mediating Role of Mentalization in the Relationship between Childhood Adversity and Dark Triad Personality

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating role of mentalization in the relationship between traumatic adversity and dark triad personality by developing a structural equation model (SEM). The statistical population consisted of 24-45 years old male and female students of the Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch of which 250 students (146 females and 104 males) were selected by using the convenience sampling method in 2021. The Dark Triad Dozen Dirty Scale (DTDD), the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were used. Correlation coefficients were -.15, .34, and -.29 respectively between childhood adversity and mentalization, childhood adversity and dark triad personality and mentalization and dark triad personality. Mentalization significantly mediated the relationship between childhood adversity and dark triad personality. These findings can lead to a possible conclusion which states children who are exposed to traumatic experiences during their childhood period may encounter decreased mentalization which in turn may increase the occurrence rate of dark triad personality among them.

Keywords


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