Dark Triad dirty dozen: psychometric properties and measurement invariance in Peruvian adolescents

Dark Triad is a term used to describe a group of three aversive personality traits - Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. This study evaluates the utility of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen for Peruvian adolescents through the evaluation of its psychometric properties; specifically, its factorial structure, measurement invariance according to gender and age group, and reliability. A total of 440 adolescents participated in the study (female: 48.2%; male: 51.8%); their ages ranged from 12 to 17 (M age = 14; SD age = 1.38). The results showed a three-factor structure invariant by gender and age group and adequate internal consistency, although it was necessary to eliminate item 8. The findings suggest that the 11-item version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen is a measure with adequate psychometric properties, reliable and useful for the study of Peruvian adolescents. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are then discussed.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the utility of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen for Peruvian adolescents through the evaluation of its psychometric properties, including its factorial structure, measurement invariance according to gender and age group, and reliability. The results showed that the 11-item version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen is a measure with adequate psychometric properties, reliable and useful for the study of Peruvian adolescents. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are then discussed.