The relationship between dark triad personality, healthy risk behaviors and physical activity in Iraq students

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Motor Behavior department, Physical education and sport science faculty, University of Tabriz

2 Motor behavior department, physical education and sport science faculty, university of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

3 Motor Behavior department Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences University of Tabriz Tabriz Iran

4 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology,, University of Tabriz

10.22034/mmbj.2025.64000.1123

Abstract

Introduction: The dark triad of personality includes psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, which can contribute to high-risk health behaviors. Physical activity has been shown to be related to both characteristics.

Aim: Therefore, the aim of the current research was to investigate the model relationship between the dark triad of personality, high-risk health behaviors and physical activity among Iraq students.

Research methods: The descriptive research method was correlation, which was determined with the statistical population of Misan University students in Iraq by cluster sampling method of 186 students as a sample. The measured instrument included dark triad questionnaires of personality, physical activity and high-risk health behaviors. The research results were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software and statistical methods of Pearson's correlation coefficient and LISREL version 8.8.

Results: The results of Pearson's correlation analysis showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between all subscales of the dark triad of personality, including narcissism (r=-0.375), Machiavellian (r=-0.386), psychopathy (r=-0.283), and the level of physical activity. It was also shown that there was a negative and significant relationship between physical activity and high-risk health behaviors (r=-0.530), as well as gambling (r=-0.404), impulsive eating (r=-0.198), and reckless behaviors (r=-0.541), and a positive and significant relationship was also shown between physical activity and aggression (r=0.172). Finally, the fit conceptual model was significant (RMSEA= 0.000, chi-square= 0.00).

Discussion: The results were discussed using the positive effects of physical activity on mood, empathy and understanding of others, as well as participation in achieving collective goals instead of individual goals and the effect of these factors on decreasing of healthy risk behaviors.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Mind, Movement, and Behavior

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 August 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 08 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 19 August 2025

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