Dark Triad dirty dozen: psychometric properties and measurement invariance in Peruvian adolescents

ABSTRACT

Dark Triad is a term used to describe a group of three aversive personality traits – Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. This study evaluates the utility of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen for Peruvian adolescents through the evaluation of its psychometric properties; specifically, its factorial structure, measurement invariance according to gender and age group, and reliability. A total of 440 adolescents participated in the study (female: 48.2%; male: 51.8%); their ages ranged from 12 to 17 (M_age = 14; SD_age = 1.38). The results showed a three-factor structure invariant by gender and age group and adequate internal consistency, although it was necessary to eliminate item 8. The findings suggest that the 11-item version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen is a measure with adequate psychometric properties, reliable and useful for the study of Peruvian adolescents. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are then discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Dark Triad
• internal structure
• measurement invariance
• adolescents

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

All the authors participated in the preparation of the paper. Specifically, SKLH, DCP, and MPA participated in the initial drafting of the manuscript and its conceptualization; authors DCP and MPA also coordinated and executed the data collection procedures; author RCB was responsible for data analysis; and author SKLH was responsible for editing the final version. All authors have approved the final version of the paper and agree to be responsible for all aspects of their work.

Data availability statement

The raw data of this research will be made available by email request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susana K. Lingán-Huamán

Susana K. Lingán-Huamán She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a PhD in Psychology from the same university. She has experience in university management and research related to education and psychology. She has published books and scientific articles in indexed journals and is a reviewer of articles in national and international research journals. Currently, she is a research professor in the Psychology Department at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola.

Dayana Charún-Puémape

Dayana Charún-Puémape She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola. Psychologist at the ‘Cognitive’ Stimulation and Empowerment Centre and works in the area of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Milady Pajuelo-Almirón

Milady Pajuelo-Almuerón She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola. Recruiting intern at NTT Data in the area of recruitment and selection.

Ronald Castillo-Blanco

Ronald Castillo-Blanco He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from the same university. Currently, he works as an Educational Information Analyst at the Universidad del Pacífico and at the same time, he is an undergraduate- and graduate-level teacher, and he is a thesis advisor on aspects related to applied statistical analysis. He is also a lecturer on quantitative research methodology, as well as a trainer in workshops and courses on applied statistics, structural equation modelling and psychometric analysis.