Do Dark Triad Scores Change with Age?

Abstract

The association between the Dark Triad traits and age was examined for a sample of 989 participants aged 16–84 (М = 36,28, SD = 13,28), where women represented 60,7% of the sample. The Dark Triad traits were measured with the Short Dark Triad (SD3), which was validated for the Russian population. All of the Dark Triad traits were correlated with age (–0,26 for Machiavellianism, –0,11 for narcissism, –0,25 for psychopathy, and –0,30 for the Dark Triad composite). Multiple regression analysis revealed an association of Machiavellianism with sex and parental status; narcissism with age squared; and psychopathy with age squared, family status, and sex. A comparison of age subsamples showed that all of the Dark Triad traits tend to first rise with age (Machiavellianism until 25–30, narcissism and psychopathy until 30–39) and then either remain at the same level (Machiavellianism) or decrease (narcissism and psychopathy). The highest sex differences were observed in the 24–29 year and the 60+ year subsamples. This finding has been interpreted from the viewpoint of loss of stability and security during these life phases.