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The Relationship Between Dark Tetrad Personality Traits And Self- Esteem: The Mediating Role Of Emotional Self-Awareness

Karanlık Dörtlü Kişilik Özelliklerinin Benlik Saygısı ile İlişkisi: Duygusal Öz Farkındalığın Aracı Rolü

Şimal Karaman(HALİÇ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SOSYAL BİLİMLER ENSTİTÜSÜ, KLİNİK PSİKOLOJİ (YL) (TEZLİ))0009-0008-8416-1763
Behmen Çelikbaş(HALİÇ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)
Pages
219–243
Publication Date
2026-10-22
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In the Machiavellianism model, it was found that Machiavellianism significantly and negatively predicted self-esteem and emotional self-awareness.

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Objective & Hypothesis:The primary objective of the current study is to evaluate the mediating role of emotional self-awareness in the relationship between the Dark Tetrad personality traits—comprising Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism—and individuals' self-esteem levels.
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Key Findings & Data:Within the framework of this objective, a total sample of 459 participants, consisting of 264 females and 195 males aged between 18 and 65 (mean = 31.28 ± 12.146 years), was included in the study.
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Conclusion & Impact:In the Machiavellianism model, it was found that Machiavellianism significantly and negatively predicted self-esteem and emotional self-awareness.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Karanlık Dörtlü · Benlik Saygısı · Duygusal Öz Farkındalık

Abstract

The primary objective of the current study is to evaluate the mediating role of emotional self-awareness in the relationship between the Dark Tetrad personality traits—comprising Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism—and individuals' self-esteem levels. Within the framework of this objective, a total sample of 459 participants, consisting of 264 females and 195 males aged between 18 and 65 (mean = 31.28 ± 12.146 years), was included in the study. The data required for the research were collected utilizing a Socio-Demographic Information Form, the Dark Tetrad (SD4) Scale, the Emotional Self-Awareness Scale, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. In the statistical evaluation process of the data, the Pearson correlation technique was employed to determine the direction and strength of the relationships among the variables, in addition to descriptive statistics and frequency distributions. Furthermore, regression analyses via the SPSS PROCESS Macro extension were utilized during the testing phase of the constructed simple mediation models. The models established based on the study findings were examined respectively. In the Machiavellianism model, it was found that Machiavellianism significantly and negatively predicted self-esteem and emotional self-awareness. Concurrently, Machiavellianism was found to have a significant total, direct, and indirect effect on self-esteem through emotional self-awareness. In the narcissism model, it was observed that narcissism positively predicted self-esteem and emotional self-awareness. Additionally, it was determined that narcissism had a significant total, direct, and indirect effect on self-esteem. In the psychopathy model, it was determined that psychopathy negatively predicted emotional self-awareness. No significant direct effect of psychopathy on self-esteem was detected; however, it was found to have a significant indirect effect on self-esteem through emotional self-awareness. Finally, in the sadism model, it was observed that sadism significantly and negatively predicted self-esteem and emotional self-awareness. It was also determined that sadism had a significant total, direct, and indirect effect on self-esteem. The data obtained as a result of the research were interpreted in light of the current literature and evaluated by comparing them with the findings of previous studies.

Özet

Mevcut araştırmanın temel amacı Makyavelyanizm, narsisizm, psikopati ve sadizmden oluşan Karanlık Dörtlü kişilik özellikleri ile bireylerin benlik saygısı düzeyleri arasındaki bağlantıda duygusal öz farkındalığın üstlendiği aracı rolü değerlendirmektir. Belirtilen hedef çerçevesinde, yaş aralığı 18-65 (ort. = 31.28 ± 12.146 yıl) olan 264 kadın ve 195 erkek katılımcıdan oluşan toplam 459 kişilik bir örneklem grubuyla çalışılmıştır. Araştırma kapsamında ihtiyaç duyulan veriler; Sosyo-Demografik Bilgi Formu, Karanlık Dörtlü (K4) Ölçeği, Duygusal Öz Farkındalık Ölçeği ve Coopersmith Benlik Saygısı Ölçeği aracılığıyla elde edilmiştir. Verilerin istatistiksel değerlendirme sürecinde betimsel istatistikler ve frekans dağılımlarının yanı sıra değişkenler arası yönü ve şiddeti belirlemek için Pearson korelasyon tekniği kullanılmıştır. Buna ek olarak, kurgulanan basit aracılık modellerinin sınanması aşamasında SPSS PROCESS Macro uzantısı üzerinden regresyon analizlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Çalışma bulgularına göre kurulan modeller sırasıyla incelenmiştir. Makyavelyanizm modelinde, Makyavelyanizmin benlik saygısını ve duygusal öz farkındalığı negatif yönde anlamlı olarak yordadığı saptanmıştır. Aynı zamanda Makyavelyanizmin benlik saygısı üzerinde anlamlı bir toplam, doğrudan ve duygusal öz farkındalık üzerinden dolaylı etkiye sahip olduğu bulunmuştur. Narsisizm modelinde, narsisizmin benlik saygısını ve duygusal öz farkındalığı pozitif yönde yordadığı görülmüştür. Buna ek olarak narsisizmin benlik saygısı üzerinde anlamlı bir toplam, doğrudan ve dolaylı etkisi olduğu belirlenmiştir. Psikopati modelinde, psikopatinin duygusal öz farkındalığı negatif yönde yordadığı tespit edilmiştir. Psikopatinin benlik saygısı üzerinde anlamlı bir doğrudan etkisi saptanmamış, ancak duygusal öz farkındalık üzerinden benlik saygısını etkileyen anlamlı bir dolaylı etkisi olduğu bulunmuştur. Son olarak sadizm modelinde, sadizmin benlik saygısını ve duygusal öz farkındalığı negatif yönde anlamlı olarak yordadığı görülmüştür. Sadizmin de benlik saygısı üzerinde anlamlı bir toplam, doğrudan ve dolaylı etkiye sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda elde edilen veriler güncel literatür ışığında yorumlanmış ve önceki çalışma sonuçlarıyla mukayese edilerek değerlendirilmiştir.

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Cite This Article

Karaman, Ş., Çelikbaş, B. (2026). The Relationship Between Dark Tetrad Personality Traits And Self- Esteem: The Mediating Role Of Emotional Self-Awareness. Aydın Sağlık Dergisi, Cilt: 12 Sayı: 3, 219–243. https://ajindex.com/articles/1667901

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