Dark Triad as a Predictor of Adult Relational Aggression

Abstract

Relational Aggression have been identified as a distinct type of indirect aggression which impacts an individual’s overall psychosocial adjustment.  It has been correlated with a number of psychological constructs and the efforts to comprehend the variables which has been associated with predicting relational aggression are still underway.  Past evidence suggested that it was the females who involve more in relational aggression rather than males. The present study investigated the presence of relational aggression among adults and whether there is a difference between male and female relational aggression. The study also examined the role of dark triad as a predictor of relational aggression among adults. For the sample 45 male and 45 female adults, aged 25 to 35 years, residing in different areas of Kolkata and outskirts of Kolkata are included in the present study. Descriptive statistics like Mean and Standard deviation and inferential statistics namely t test and Regression Analysis were utilized to interpret the data. Results indicated no gender difference exists between the two groups in terms of relational aggression. Machiavellianism and Narcissism were found to be significant predictors of adult females’ relational aggression. While for adult males’ Machiavellianism and Psychopathy play a significant role in predicting relational aggression. Overall, the Dark Triad constructs do have a significant role in predicting relational aggression among adults.