Mendeley TY _ JOUR ID - 1403122549696 TI - A Study of Socially Aversive Personalities in the Phenomenon of Addiction: An Analysis Based on the Big Five Personality Traits JO - Research of deviance and social problems JA - ES LA - fa SN - 3060-821X AU - Mohammadzadeh Ali AU - Heyran Sangestani zahra AU - golizadeh somayeh AU - Soltani Shahgoli Fariba AD - دانشگاه پیام نور AD - دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد روانشناسی بالینی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد تبریز، تبریز، ایران AD - کارشناس ارشد روانشناسی عمومی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران. AD - کارشناسی ارشد، گروه روانشناسی بالینی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد مرند، مرند، ایران Y1 - 2025 PY - 2025 VL - 15 IS - SP - 149 EP - 178 KW - Addiction KW - Machiavellianism KW - Narcissism KW - Antisocial KW - Five-Factor Model. DO - N2 -

A Study of Socially Aversive Personalities in the Phenomenon of Addiction: An Analysis Based on the Big Five Personality Traits

 

Ali Mohammadzadeh*

Zahra Heyran Sangestani**

Somayeh Golizadeh***

 Fariba Soltani Shahgoli****

 

 The personality traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and antisocial behavior, collectively known as the dark triad, are recognized as socially aversive personalities. Research has reported associations between these traits and substance abuse. This study aimed to elucidate dark personality traits in individuals with substance abuse using the Five-Factor Model of personality. The statistical population consisted of male addicts attending public and private addiction treatment centers in Tabriz in 2022. A sample of 206 participants was tested using the Machiavellian Personality Questionnaire, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-2, and the long-form NEO Personality Inventory. Findings revealed that among substance abusers, Machiavellian personality showed a strong positive correlation with neuroticism and negative correlations with extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Narcissistic personality was negatively correlated with agreeableness and positively correlated with conscientiousness, while antisocial personality was positively correlated with neuroticism and negatively correlated with agreeableness. The common personality trait across the dark triad in substance abusers, according to the Five-Factor Model, is low agreeableness.

Keywords: Addiction, Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Antisocial, Five-Factor Model.

 

Introduction

Addiction is a complex and multifaceted social issue driven by various social and individual factors. One significant obstacle to effective treatment is personality factors. Among these, the dark triad personality traits—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and antisocial behavior—encompass both individual psychological and social dimensions. These maladaptive behavioral patterns can lead to diverse consequences and harms at individual and societal levels. Despite differences in their origins, these traits share common characteristics, including socially negative behaviors, tendencies for personal advancement, emotional coldness, deceitfulness, and aggression (Greitemeyer & Seidl, 2024, p. 1). These personality traits can be examined through the lens of general personality frameworks, with the Five-Factor Model (comprising neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) being a prominent approach to personality assessment. Studies, such as Yusefi and Teymouri (2019) and Sadri et al. (2019), have confirmed the significant role of dark personality traits in individuals’ vulnerability to addiction. Additionally, Takloo and Ramazani (2019) found that women predisposed to addiction exhibit higher dark personality traits, while Fodstad et al. (2024) indicated that these traits may hinder successful substance abuse treatment. This study draws on two theoretical frameworks:

The Biopsychosocial Model of Addiction, which views addiction as the result of complex interactions among genetic, hormonal, psychological (e.g., personality traits and mental disorders), and social factors (e.g., family environment, peer pressure, and socio-economic conditions). This model emphasizes the need for comprehensive treatment addressing all these dimensions (Skewes & Gonzalez, 2013, p. 2).

Social Control Theory, which underscores the importance of an individual’s bonds with social institutions (family, school, community). Weakened bonds are seen as contributing to risky behaviors like addiction. Personality traits such as Machiavellianism and antisocial tendencies, which diminish empathy and social commitment, increase vulnerability to addiction (Wild, 2006, p. 42).

 

Methodology

This descriptive correlational study targeted male addicts registered at addiction treatment centers in Tabriz in 2022. Using convenience sampling, 206 participants were included. Data were analyzed with multivariate regression. The following instruments were used:

Machiavellian Personality Questionnaire: Assessed Machiavellian traits, with reliability confirmed by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.75, consistent with prior studies (Christie & Geis, 1970).

Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-2 (MCMI-2): Measured DSM-IV-TR personality disorders, with subscales for narcissistic and antisocial personalities used in this study. The instrument has demonstrated adequate validity and reliability in Iran (Khajeh Moghaddam, 1994).

Revised NEO Personality Inventory: Assessed the Five-Factor Model traits, with validity confirmed in Iranian samples by Hakshenas (2006) with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.57 to 0.83.

 

Findings

Results indicated positive correlations among Machiavellian, narcissistic, and antisocial personalities. Specifically:

Machiavellian Personality: Showed a positive correlation with neuroticism and negative correlations with agreeableness and extraversion. Regression analysis revealed that neuroticism alone predicted 16% of the variance in Machiavellian personality. Including agreeableness increased the explained variance to 26%, and adding extraversion raised it to 28%.

Narcissistic Personality: Was negatively correlated with agreeableness (explaining 8% of variance) and positively correlated with conscientiousness (increasing to 17% when combined). It showed significant associations with extraversion facets (warmth, gregariousness, assertiveness), agreeableness, and conscientiousness.

Antisocial Personality: Was positively correlated with neuroticism (explaining 10% of variance), rising to 13% with the inclusion of agreeableness. It showed positive correlations with all neuroticism domains but negative correlations with certain aspects of agreeableness and conscientiousness.

 

Discussion and Conclusion

The study found that Machiavellian personality exhibited the strongest positive correlation with neuroticism and negative correlations with agreeableness and extraversion. High neuroticism in these individuals is associated with negative emotional dominance and alexithymia, commonly observed in psychological disorders and substance abuse. The depression facet showed a stronger correlation with Machiavellian traits, indicating a propensity for depressive states. Machiavellians tend to be introverted, less extraverted, and exhibit reduced positive emotions. Low agreeableness reflects self-centeredness, distrust, and competitiveness, aligning with classic descriptions of Machiavellian personality (Clark et al., 2024, p. 210; McClintock, 2024, p. 1). For narcissistic personality, a negative correlation with agreeableness and a positive correlation with conscientiousness (particularly competence linked to high self-esteem) were observed. The negative relationship with agreeableness aligns with prior research in the general population, which identifies low agreeableness as a key feature of narcissistic individuals (Bradlee, Young, & Pinsky, 2006, p. 463; Miller et al., 2009, p. 483). Antisocial traits were positively correlated with neuroticism and negatively correlated with agreeableness, showing significant overlap with Machiavellian traits. This supports theories suggesting structural similarities between Machiavellian and antisocial personalities (Lee & Ashton, 2005, p. 1571; Yousaf et al., 2023, p. 1; Nai & Young, 2021, p. 1). Thus, low agreeableness is a common characteristic of the dark triad (Machiavellian, narcissistic, and antisocial) personalities among substance abusers, reflecting impaired empathy and interpersonal exploitation. The study faced two limitations: the length of the questionnaires and the exclusive focus on male participants, which may impact generalizability. Policy recommendations include enhancing agreeableness in addicts through interventions targeting communication skills, self-awareness, ethical values, and family environment improvements to mitigate dark triad traits and foster positive personality traits.

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* Corresponding Author: Professor, Department of Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

A_mohammadzadeh@pnu.ac.ir

**M.A Student in Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran.

hairanizahra829@gmail.com

*** M.A of Science in General Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran. golizadeh8285@gmail.com

**** M.A of Science in Clinical Psychology, Marand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marand, Iran.

fariba.soltani.1985@gmail.com

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