Light in the dark: Cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation of the network of Dark Triad and Big Five personality traits, resilience and anxiety

Personality and Individual Differences. 2026. Vol. 263. Article 114019.

Papageorgiou K., Maxim Likhanov, Li J., Alenina E., Elina Tsigeman, Ksenia Bartseva, Yulia Kovas, Luo Y. L.

Multivariate approaches are needed to gain a better understanding of the positive and negative impacts of Dark Triad traits within personality networks under different socio-cultural and personal conditions. In three independent studies in two countries (total N of participants = 4700), we applied network analyses and structural equation modeling to investigate the network of personality (Dark Triad and Big Five), resilience and anxiety. The results confirmed, with longitudinal evidence, the pattern of indirect associations between the Dark Triad and anxiety through resilience/mental toughness. The findings also emphasized the importance of differentiating the three “dark” traits, as they showed different relations with other traits in the network. For example, narcissism was unique among the Dark Triad in that it predicted better mental health, whereas Machiavellianism and psychopathy were linked to poorer resilience and mental health. Narcissism was also the most influential node in the network of personality, resilience and anxiety. Considering the consistency of the effects across the samples, the results suggest a promising avenue for research into malleability of personality networks and for developing effective anxiety interventions

Keywords: личность, тревожность, устойчивость, "Большая пятерка" личностных черт, "Темная триада" личностных черт, resilience, mental toughness, Big Five personality traits, anxiety, Dark Triad traits

Publication based on the results of: Psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of intelligence and cognitive wellbeing (2026)