Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2025

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
The association between problematic social networking site use, dark triad traits, and emotion dysregulation
Zaheer Hussain1, Elisa Wegmann2, Mark D Griffiths3
1School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK. zaheer.hussain@ntu.ac.uk.
Background:
Social networking sites (SNSs) allow people to socially connect with each other, collaborate, and share information. However, problematic SNS use (PSNSU) may be associated with negative personality traits. The present study investigated the associations between PSNSU, dark triad personality traits, and emotion dysregulation.
Method:
In the present study, 555 SNS users (Mage = 33.32 years, SD = 10.88) completed an online survey comprising measures of PSNSU, dark triad personality traits, and emotion dysregulation.
Results:
Bivariate correlations showed that PSNSU was significantly associated with dark triad traits as well as emotion dysregulation. Structural equation modelling (where the effect of the dark triad traits on PSNSU was mediated by emotion dysregulation) showed that 33.5% of the variance of PSNSU was explained by Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism.
Conclusion:
The findings provide suggestive evidence of why PSNSU may occur as a function of the presence of dark triad traits and emotion dysregulation. The study also highlighted the important role that emotion regulation plays in the association between dark triad traits and PSNSU.
Related Concept Videos
Dark Triad and Person Perception
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Personality Disorders: Schizotypal and Histrionic
Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Eccentric Behavior and Social Withdrawal
Schizotypal personality disorder is marked by odd or eccentric...
Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals
Role of Emotions in Social Life
The Influence of Cognition on Affect

