Assessing Vulnerable and Antagonistic Traits Using the Five-Factor Model Measures

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Personality Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) describes socially aversive personality traits.
• Vulnerable and traditional expressions of these traits require nuanced assessment.
• The Five-Factor Model Antagonistic Triad Measure (FFM ATM) aims to capture these dimensions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Five-Factor Model Antagonistic Triad Measure (FFM ATM)'s ability to capture traditional and vulnerable Dark Triad traits.
• To assess the FFM ATM's predictive validity concerning borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits.
• To explore the FFM ATM's factor structure and its relationship with BPD.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 326 university students (aged 18-24) completed the FFM ATM, Five-Factor Borderline Inventory-Super Short Form (FFBI-SSF), and other relevant personality measures.
• Statistical analyses included variance accounting, incremental validity testing, and exploratory factor analysis.

Main Results:

• The FFM ATM explained significant variance in traditional Dark Triad traits, secondary psychopathy, and vulnerable narcissism.
• The FFM ATM was less successful in predicting borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits.
• Supplementing the FFM ATM with FFBI-SSF items improved BPD trait prediction and revealed a distinct BPD-like factor.

Conclusions:

• The FFM ATM offers a concise framework for assessing antagonistic and vulnerable Dark Triad traits.
• Additional measures, such as the FFBI-SSF, are beneficial for a more complete assessment of BPD traits.
• The findings highlight the utility and limitations of the FFM ATM in personality assessment.