Prediction of latent Relational aggression based on the dark triad personality with the mediating role of shame and rejection sensitivity in a group of Iranian women

Subject Areas : Woman and family

Roya Rasouli ¹ , Faezeh Peimanpak ² , Sara Karimi ³

1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Ph.D. Student in Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran ([e-mail])
3 - Ph.D. Student in Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2023-01-13 Accepted : 2023-02-26 Published : 2024-06-20

Keywords: Women, shame, Dark Personality Traits, Rejection Sensitivity, Latent Marital Aggression,

Abstract :

Purpose:  The present study aimed to predict latent marital aggression based on Machiavellianism, anti-socialism and narcissism with the mediating role of shame and rejection sensitivity in a group of Iranian women.Method: 307 married women of Tehran city were selected by voluntary sampling method and were answered to the Couples Relational Aggression and Victimization Scale (Nelson & Carroll, 2006), the Short Version of Dark Triad Personality Traits (Paulhus & Jones, 2014), The Test of Self-Conscious Affect (Tangney, 1996) and Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (Downey & Feldman, 1996) through an online survey. The research method was correlational, structural equation modeling type and the data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24 software.Findings: The findings of Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between Machiavellianism with rejection sensitivity, shame with the dimensions of latent marital aggression including love withdrawal and social sabotage, but there is no significant relationship between narcissistic personality and rejection sensitivity, shame, love withdrawal and social sabotage. Anti-socialism had a positive and significant relationship with rejection sensitivity, shame and social sabotage; but it was not related to love withdrawal. Also, there is a positive and significant relationship between rejection sensitivity and shame with love withdrawal and social sabotage. The findings of structural equation modeling showed that Machiavellianism, anti-socialism, rejection sensitivity and shame positively predict love withdrawal and social sabotage. Narcissism has no direct or indirect effect on love withdrawal and social sabotage. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the mediating role of rejection sensitivity and shame in the relationship between Machiavellianism and anti-socialism with love withdrawal and social sabotage among women. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that women's rejection sensitivity and shame in relation to dark triad personality traits of Machiavellian and antisocial personality are related to latent marital aggression.