Abstract:

Aim:
The present study aimed to examine the relationship between three personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and subclinical psychopathy, known as the Dark Triad, and personal existential fulfillment in a sample of students of pedagogical faculty. The dark triad personality traits can harm future teachers' personal existential fulfillment and well-being. It is important to consider these factors when selecting and training future teachers.

Method:
The study was conducted on a sample of 100 participants from different groups of pedagogical faculty students – kindergarten teachers, elementary school teachers, and secondary school teachers aged 19 to 55 (Mean = 24.22; SD = 7.55). Females represented 76% of all respondents (N = 76), aged 19 to 55 (Mean = 24.92; SD = 8.2). Males represented the remaining 24% of respondents (N = 24), aged 19 to 38 (Mean = 22.0; SD = 4.36). A quota selection and purposive sampling method were used. The Czech version of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-40), Machiavellianism Test (MACH-IV), Self-Report Psychopathy (SRP-III), and The Existence Scale (ESK) were administered.

Results:
Significant positive relationships were identified between narcissism and subclinical psychopathy only (r = 0.336**). Nonsignificant relationships were identified between subclinical psychopathy and Machiavellianism (r = 0.124) and between Machiavellianism and narcissism (r = 0.133). Nonsignificant negative relationships were identified between personal existential fulfillment and Machiavellianism (r = - 0.102) and between personal existential fulfillment and subclinical psychopathy (r = - 0.195). Narcissism had a nonsignificant positive relationship with personal existential fulfillment (r = 0.058). Regression analysis indicated that the dark triad traits had weak relationships with personal existential fulfillment scores. (F = 2.172; p = 0.096; R2 = 0.064). The dark triad traits predicted only about 6.4% variation in personal existential fulfillment scores among the students.

Conclusion:
This study had a number of limitations. Our study is not based on a large, heterogeneous, and partially representative sample. Moreover, common method bias cannot be ruled out because all variables were collected as self-report data. The uniqueness of the study results from the specific sample, future kindergarten teachers, elementary school teachers, and secondary school teachers. The teaching profession offers an environment for negative personality traits demonstration. The present study showed that dark triad traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and subclinical psychopathy) have a weak connection to personal existential fulfillment. Despite some limits, we consider the results of our study to be beneficial as they have shown the necessity of paying more attention to the personalities of future teachers since teachers influence students not only at the professional but also at the affective level. The negative effect of teachers’ personalities might be prevented by including personality assessments in recruitment interviews.

Keywords:

Dark triad, Machiavellianism, narcissism, subclinical psychopathy, personal existential fulfilment.