The association between Dark Triad and pro-environmental behaviours: the moderating role of trait emotional intelligence (La asociación entre la Tríada Oscura y las conductas proambientales: el papel moderador de la inteligencia emocional rasgo)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Human activity represents the main reason for several environmental issues, including the acceleration of climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Identifying personal characteristics and resources underpinning people’s disposition towards pro-environmental behaviours (PEB) can represent a valuable tool to cope with today’s environmental crisis. The current study aimed to deepen the interplay between the Dark Triad and PEB, addressing the moderating role of Trait Emotional Intelligence (Trait EI). A sample of 200 individuals (M age = 20.37, SD age = 1.46, 51.5% females) participated in this cross-sectional web-based research. Results revealed a negative association between the Dark Triad and PEB, whilst Trait EI moderated such an interplay, dampening the negative effect of the Dark Triad. These findings suggest that Trait EI, by reappraisal processes and emotion regulation strategies, allows people to model their behavioural responses positively, facilitating the engagement to PEB. Limitations and future directions were considered.