Dark Tetrad Traits and Mental and Physical Health: Mediating Role of Coping Strategies

This correlational, cross-sectional study examined the mediating role of coping strategies (emotion-oriented, task-oriented and avoidant coping) in relationships between Dark Tetrad traits at the facet level and mental and physical health on a sample of 492 adults. Results of mediation analysis showed that secondary psychopathy and Machiavellianism were directly associated with poorer mental health, while narcissistic admiration and primary psychopathy were linked to better mental health. Secondary psychopathy had a positive and sadism a negative direct effect on somatisation. Emotion-oriented coping emerged as the key mediator between dark traits and mental health, and the only significant mediator for somatisation. Secondary psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissistic rivalry were related to worse health through higher use of emotion-oriented coping and, additionally in secondary psychopathy, through lower use of task-oriented coping. However, narcissistic admiration and primary psychopathy showed the opposite positive relationships with good health through higher task-oriented and avoidant coping or lower emotion-oriented coping. Findings underscore the critical role of coping in these associations.