Behind the mask of love: Associations among dark triad traits, attachment avoidance and anxiety, romantic beliefs, and intimacy expectations

Abstract

This study examined how Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy), attachment orientations, and romantic beliefs predict intimacy expectations in romantic relationships, while considering potential moderating effects of age and gender. A community sample of 900 adults (56% women; age range = 18–74 years) in intimate relationship completed measures of Dark Triad traits, attachment anxiety and avoidance, idealized romantic beliefs, and expectations for intimacy. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that Machiavellianism was the strongest Dark Triad predictor of lower intimacy expectations, while narcissism showed a weak positive suppression effect after controlling for Machiavellianism, and psychopathy provided no unique contribution. Relational factors were stronger predictors, with avoidant attachment negatively and idealized romantic beliefs positively predicting intimacy expectations. Moderation analyses indicated that the negative link between Machiavellianism and intimacy expectations was significantly moderated by age and gender, such that older women high in Machiavellianism reported the lowest intimacy expectations, whereas younger women and men across all ages showed a more stable pattern. In contrast, narcissism and psychopathy exhibited no demographic moderation. Overall, these findings highlight that both personality traits and relational schemas shape intimacy expectations, but their effects are modest. The study underscores the importance of integrating cognitive, personality, and demographic factors to better understand maladaptive relationship dynamics.