Dark Triad, Dyad, or Core? A Psychometric Evaluation of the Short Dark Triad (SD3) Across Three Countries

Denovan, Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9082-7225, Plouffe, Rachel A, Dagnall, Neil ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0657-7604, Artamonova, Elena, Kowalski, Christopher Marcin and Saklofske, Donald H (2024) Dark Triad, Dyad, or Core? A Psychometric Evaluation of the Short Dark Triad (SD3) Across Three Countries. Current Psychology, 43 (47). pp. 36086-36103. ISSN 1046-1310

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Abstract

Since its introduction to personality psychology literature in 2002, the study of Dark Triad personality traits has gained traction across nations. However, there exists theoretical debate regarding the empirical distinctiveness of traits. Moreover, despite universal study across countries, the Short Dark Triad (SD3) lacks validation for use in all populations. The objective of this study was to scrutinise SD3 performance across three nations, including the United Kingdom (n = 617), Canada (n = 263), and Russia (n = 1048). Specifically, factor structure and item-person functioning of the SD3 was assessed across samples. Exploratory structural equation modelling designated that a three-factor bifactor solution provided superior data-fit. In this model, SD3 items loaded on a general factor, in addition to loading on Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy dimensions. This enabled scrutiny of the degree to which SD3 items reflected a shared general dimension vs. individual subfactors. Further analyses revealed that the general factor did not possess sufficient variance to disqualify the SD3 as multidimensional. Rasch analyses focusing on the three subscales supported unidimensionality and satisfactory item fit. However, inadequate reliability existed, and items exhibited differential item functioning across nations. Although the SD3 can be considered a valid tool for capturing Dark Triad traits across countries, concerns relating to reliability and DIF suggested that revising SD3 items would enhance measurement precision.