The role of dark triad in prediction of intimacy and attitudes to infidelity in applying for divorce couples

Subject Areas : Thoughts and Behavior in Clinical Psychology

Received: 2017-09-05 Accepted : 2017-09-05 Published : 2017-08-23

Keywords: Intimacy, dark triad , Infidelity,

Abstract :

It seems that in a normal population and in the absence of unusual behavioral symptoms, Machiavellianism, narcissistic traits, and psychopathy can be considered as a single trait. This combination is generally called the Dark triad of personality. The aim of this study is to determine the role of the Dark triad of personality in the attitude toward infidelity and marital intimacy. For this purpose, in a descriptive-correlational study, 150 couples applying for divorce that were referred to counseling and psychological services centers in Tabriz selected by available sampling method and then evaluated subjects dimensions of the dark triad personality, marital intimacy and attitudes to infidelity respectively. The results of correlation and multiple regression analysis showed that there is an negative relationship between intimacy and Dark triad characters. The dimensions of psychopathy and narcissism could predict 18 percent of intimacy changes. Also, significant relationship were found between the attitude toward infidelity and dark triad of personality. Research revealed that Machiavelli and narcissistic were predict 17 percent of the attitude to infidelity changes. The results of present study support the idea that the dark triad of personality including; Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism, have effects on the marital intimacy as well as the attitude to infidelity in applying for divorce couples.