The mediating role of emotional regulation strategies in the relationship between the dark tetrad of personality and anxious–depressive symptomatology

Emotional regulation is crucial for psychological well-being, influencing how individuals manage their emotions and adapt their behavior in various situations. Emotional regulation strategies can function either as protective factors or as risks in the development of psychopathologies such as depression and anxiety. Individual characteristics—specifically, the traits of the Dark Tetrad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism)—are generally associated with emotional difficulties and an increased risk of psychopathology. The aim of this study is to examine how emotional regulation strategies mediate the relationship between these dark traits and emotional distress. A sample of 464 participants was assessed on Dark Tetrad traits, cognitive emotional regulation strategies, and emotional symptomatology. Four mediation models were developed to investigate whether emotional regulation strategies mediate the relationship between each Dark Tetrad trait and anxious–depressive symptomatology. The results indicate that psychopathy and Machiavellianism exhibit direct effects on symptomatology, suggesting partial mediation through maladaptive strategies, whereas sadism and narcissism show no direct association with symptoms. Overall, narcissism is associated with adaptive emotional regulation, while Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism are linked with dysfunctional strategies that heighten vulnerability to psychopathology. These findings highlight emotional regulation strategies as mediators and have important implications for designing interventions aimed at improving emotional regulation in individuals with high levels of dark traits.