Antisocial, narcissistic personality traits and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in combat athletes

This study aimed to compare antisocial, narcissistic, and Machiavellian traits, along with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and psychiatric history, between combat athletes and non-athletes.

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 300 participants (150 combat athletes and 150 non-athletic controls) completed online assessments. The Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Form, Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, Narcissistic Personality Inventory, Antisocial Behaviour Scale, and Machiavellianism Scale were administered. Group comparisons were performed using appropriate statistical tests.

Combat athletes demonstrated significantly higher scores on the Antisocial Behaviour Scale (27.4 ± 6.3 vs. 21.1 ± 5.9; p < 0.001), Narcissistic Personality Inventory (17.6 ± 4.8 vs. 13.2 ± 4.5; p < 0.001), and Machiavellianism Scale (41.3 ± 7.1 vs. 36.0 ± 6.4; p < 0.001). ADHD symptom scores were descriptively higher in combat athletes (31.9 ± 9.2 vs. 25.5 ± 8.6; p < 0.001); however, ADHD symptoms did not remain an independent predictor in the multivariable model. In addition, psychiatric diagnoses, medication use, self-harm behaviors, and suicide attempts were more prevalent among combat athletes.

Individuals engaged in combat sports exhibited higher levels of antisocial, narcissistic, and Machiavellian traits, along with descriptively elevated ADHD symptomatology and psychiatric vulnerability. However, ADHD symptoms did not show an independent predictive signal in adjusted models, whereas narcissistic traits emerged as the most robust independent correlate of combat sports participation. These findings highlight the importance of targeted mental health screening and intervention strategies in this population.