ИСТИНА

Theoretical models that link the Dark Triad traits with competitiveness and ambition predict that the intensity of three negative traits – Machiavellianism, sub-clinical narcissism and sub-clinical psychopathy – decline with age. Only a few studies have examined age trends for the Dark Triad and these have largely supported the theoretical expectations. The current research examined whether the associations between the Dark Triad traits and the HEXACO personality traits were mediated by age and whether the associations differed from those received between the variables of the Dark Triad and the Big Five. The overall sample (N = 1,059; 16-84 years; 59.4% females, 40.6% males) was divided into five groups for an analysis of age-based differences: 16–23 years, 24–29 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, 50+ years. Correlations between Dark Triad traits and broad HEXACO personality factors, their defining facets, and the Big Five broad factors were calculated for each age group. In all ages there were significant relations of all the Dark Triad traits with Honesty/Humility and Agreeableness (negative), of narcissism with Extraversion and Openness (positive) and of psychopathy with Conscientiousness (negative). Inconsistency in the coherence of the Dark Triad traits and in the relations of the Dark Triad with the Big Five traits and with the facets of the HEXACO traits is discussed.