Dark Triad Caregivers and Their Children

Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism comprise the dark triad of personality. Primarily based on the self-report of one individual, most research on these personality traits has highlighted their associations with antisociality, aggression, and poor adjustment. The current study aimed to expand the literature by examining the links between emerging adults’ dark triad traits and behavioral health with their primary caregivers’ dark triad traits. We collected data from a sample of emerging adults from a college population and their primary caregivers (N = 448). Structural equation modeling was used to test the unique associations between caregiver reported dark triad traits with emerging adult reported dark triad traits and behavioral health (e.g., depression, anxiety, drug-use). Findings show that narcissism in caregivers was associated with greater narcissism and internalizing symptoms in emerging adults. Caregiver psychopathy was associated with greater Machiavellianism and externalizing symptoms in emerging adults. Caregiver Machiavellianism was associated with more adaptive behavioral health outcomes in emerging adults. Results suggest that in addition to assessing and addressing emerging adults’ personality traits and behavioral health, it is important to target caregiver psychopathology in the treatment context.