Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Schönthaler, E.
The moderating effect of the Dark Triad traits in the relationship between affective disorders and health behaviours
Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft; Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2023. pp. 123
[OPEN ACCESS]
FullText
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Baranyi Andreas
- Dalkner Nina
- von Lewinski Dirk
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Deteriorated health behaviours are a consequence of affective disorders and result in psychological and somatic comorbidities. Since the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear, factors determining the relationship between affective disorders and health behaviours need to be investigated. In addition to lifestyle and medication use, personality traits should be considered, especially those which are known for their deteriorating impact on health behaviour, such as the Dark Triad personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy). This study examined the associations and moderating influences of the Dark Triad traits on the relationship between group affiliation (individuals with affective disorders versus mentally healthy individuals), and health behaviours and parameters (substance use, diet, Mediterranean diet adherence, participation in medical services, vaccination attitudes, medication sensitivity, physical activity, sleep quality, depressive symptom severity). Data from 938 individuals (551 individuals with affective disorders, 387 mentally healthy individuals) were collected in an online survey administering the Multidimensional Health Behaviour Inventory, Mediterranean Diet Score, Vaccination Attitude Examination Scale, Perceived Sensitivity to Medicines Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Patient Health Questionnaire – 9, and the Short Dark Triad questionnaire. Moderation analyses revealed that Machiavellianism was associated with lower substance use, less adherence to Mediterranean diet, more negative vaccination attitudes, worse sleep quality, and more depressive symptoms. Moreover, Machiavellianism moderated the relationship between group affiliation and substance use, Mediterranean diet adherence, and sleep quality. Narcissism was not associated with any health behaviours. Psychopathy was related to more negative vaccination attitudes, worse sleep quality, and greater depression. This trait had a deteriorating moderation effect on the association between group affiliation and depression. Results indicate that Machiavellianism and psychopathy should be considered when integrating health behaviours for the prevention and treatment of somatic comorbidities in affective disorders. The study contributes a meaningful perspective to biopsychosocial research and highlights the role of personality traits in the aetiopathogenesis of affective disorder