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Married or cohabiting participants score lower on traits associated with the so-called “Dark Triad” of personalities—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—compared to their single counterparts, according to new research study published in the journal Heliyon. Additionally, partnered individuals tend to favor passionate and altruistic love styles, while singles gravitate toward more playful, obsessive, and pragmatic attitudes. These results shed light on how personality and romantic attitudes are related to relationship dynamics.
Romantic relationships are a cornerstone of human life, but not everyone approaches or sustains relationships in the same way. Romantic relationships are a central aspect of human life, yet the psychological factors that affect whether someone forms and maintains a committed partnership are not fully understood. By examining Dark Triad personality traits and love styles, the researchers sought to gain deeper insight into the personal attributes that shape romantic outcomes.
“Romantic relationships are fundamental to human experience, shaping individuals’ emotional well-being and societal structures. Our interest was piqued by the complex interplay between personality traits, particularly those in the Dark Triad, and attitudes towards love. Exploring how these traits influence relationship dynamics provides valuable insights into both typical and atypical patterns of human intimacy,” said study author Sara Veggi of the University of Turin.
Dark Triad personality traits are associated with self-serving, emotionally detached behaviors that could undermine long-term relationships. Machiavellianism is characterized by manipulation, cynicism, and emotional detachment, often used to achieve personal goals at the expense of others. Narcissism, on the other hand, is marked by grandiosity, a sense of superiority, and a need for admiration. Psychopathy, the third component of the Dark Triad, involves impulsivity, emotional detachment, and a disregard for the well-being of others.
Love styles, on the other hand, describe different attitudes and approaches to romantic relationships. Eros is characterized by passionate, intense, and physical attraction, often associated with high levels of satisfaction in relationships. Ludus, by contrast, treats love as a game, emphasizing playfulness and a lack of commitment. Storge reflects a more friendship-based love, grounded in shared experiences and mutual respect rather than passion.
Pragma is a practical approach to love, where partners are chosen based on rational considerations like compatibility or social status. Mania is possessive and obsessive, marked by jealousy and a deep desire for affirmation from the partner. Finally, Agape represents selfless, altruistic love, where the needs and happiness of the partner are prioritized above one’s own.
The researchers conducted their study using an online survey that gathered data from 1,101 participants, primarily Italian adults, between July and October 2023. Participants were required to be at least 18 years old, have a minimum primary school education, and possess sufficient proficiency in Italian. Those with severe cognitive or psychiatric disorders were excluded from the study. The final sample consisted of 615 married or cohabiting individuals and 486 single participants, with an average age of approximately 41 years.
Veggi and her colleagues found distinct differences between the two groups in both personality traits and love attitudes. Married or cohabiting participants scored lower on all three Dark Triad traits—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—compared to singles on average. These results suggest that individuals with lower levels of manipulation, emotional detachment, and self-centeredness are more likely to maintain long-term, stable relationships.
When it came to love attitudes, partnered individuals were characterized by higher levels of Eros and Agape, reflecting passionate and selfless approaches to love. These styles are commonly associated with satisfaction and commitment in romantic relationships. Conversely, single participants scored higher on Ludus, Mania, Pragma, and Storge. These styles suggest a more playful, obsessive, practical, or friendship-oriented approach to love, which may not always align with the dynamics of enduring partnerships.
“The findings reveal that personality traits and attitudes toward love significantly differ between individuals in relationships and those who are single,” Veggi told PsyPost. “This suggests that certain personality characteristics and love attitudes might predispose individuals towards relationship stability or singlehood.”
Using hierarchical logistic regression analysis—a statistical method that identifies how various factors predict an outcome while considering the influence of other variables—the researchers found that age and love styles were significant predictors of relationship status.
Older participants were more likely to be married or cohabiting, as were those who displayed higher levels of Eros and Agape. In contrast, individuals with higher levels of Mania and Storge were more likely to be single. Narcissism, surprisingly, was also a predictor of being partnered, suggesting that this trait might not always hinder relationship formation, possibly due to its association with confidence and charm in the early stages of relationships.
The researchers also uncovered gender differences. Men scored higher on all three Dark Triad traits, aligning with previous research indicating that men are more likely to exhibit socially aversive personality characteristics. Men were also more likely than women to adopt a Ludus love style, suggesting a preference for less committed, more playful relationships. However, men also scored higher on Agape, reflecting a willingness to sacrifice for their partners, which may align with traditional protector roles.
“We were particularly struck by the predictive strength of narcissism, Eros, and Agape in determining relationship status, as well as the gender-specific differences in these traits,” Veggi said. “The finding that men reported higher scores in ludic and agapic love styles than women adds nuance to gendered perceptions of love and relational commitment.”
The study sheds light on how psychological factors influence the likelihood of being in a committed partnership versus remaining single. But as with all research, there are limitations to consider.
“As a cross-sectional study reliant on self-report measures, our results are subject to potential biases such as social desirability and self-perception inaccuracies. Additionally, the sample’s demographic skew (predominantly female and heterosexual) limits generalizability.”
Future research could address these limitations by recruiting more diverse samples and incorporating additional psychological variables, such as attachment styles or measures of relational satisfaction. Longitudinal studies would also help clarify how these traits and attitudes evolve over time and influence relationship trajectories.
“We aim to expand this investigation to specific populations, including perpetrators of violent and sexual crimes,” Veggi said. “By integrating measures of social cognition, emotion recognition and moral judgment, we seek to understand how these variables manifest in high-risk behaviors and offending.”
“This research underscores the importance of addressing personality traits and relational attitudes in both therapeutic and criminological contexts. By understanding these dynamics, we can better support individuals in building healthy relationships and mitigating harmful patterns.”
The study, “Love actually: Is relationship status associated with dark triad personality traits and attitudes towards love?,” was authored by Agata Benfante, Marialaura Di Tella, Sara Veggi, Franco Freilone, Lorys Castelli, and Georgia Zara.
