Dark Triad and Dating Violence: Mediating Role of Irrational Beliefs in Romantic Relationships

This study investigated the mediating role of irrational beliefs in romantic relationships between dark triad and dating violence. The participants of the study consisted of 378 emerging adults. Of the participants, 226 (59.8%) were female and 152 (40.2%) were male. Their ages range from 18 to 29 (Mean = 24.30, SD = 3.84). The data were collected by using three scales, which are Dirty Dozen Scale, Irrational Beliefs in Romantic Relationships Scale, and Dating Violence Scale. Model 4 in the PROCESS macro was used to analyze the mediating role of IBRR. Bootstrapping procedures were performed to analyse the data. Gender and age were included in the analysis as a control variable. Three models have been proposed to examine the mediator role of IBRR in the relationship between the dark triad and dating violence. The results revealed that dark triad and dating violence were positively associated with irrational beliefs in romantic relationships. In addition to this, Machiavellianism and psychopathy were found to be positively and significantly correlated with dating violence while no significant correlation was found between narcissism and dating violence. The results also showed that indirect effect of irrational beliefs in romantic relationships between psychopathy and dating violence and between Machiavellianism and dating violence was positive and significant. It is concluded that irrational beliefs in romantic relationships play a significant role in the relationship between dark triad and dating violence.