Dark desires: The Dark Tetrad and relationship control

The present study explored links between the Dark Tetrad (i.e., psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, sadism) personality traits and different forms of desired control in romantic relationships. These include control via surveillance and threats, control over every-day routines and control over autonomous behaviour. Participants (N = 318, women = 172, men = 146) were invited via Prolific data collection site to take part in an online survey exploring personality and romantic relationships. Path analyses revealed that sadism and psychopathy were positive predictors of all forms of desired control. Narcissism also positively predicted all forms of desired control, however revealing smaller effects. Results also show that the Dark Tetrad traits were operating similarly in both men and women across all relationship control variables. The current findings highlight the importance of considering everyday sadism and trait psychopathy when exploring different forms of relationship control.

Automated summary

The study found links between Dark Tetrad personality traits and different forms of control in romantic relationships, with everyday sadism and trait psychopathy playing important roles in control.