Parents, Offspring and the Dark Triad: Joint Personality Risk and Parenting Predictors of Depression and Stress

Study Aims The primary aim of this dissertation is to investigate the interplay between parent and young adult offspring Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism) and offspring mental health outcomes (depression and stress). Specifically, the study examines how the combined trait profile of parent and offspring dark traits (e.g., both parent and offspring show higher levels in these traits) is associated with offspring depression and stress. A further aim is to identify the boundary conditions of these associations by examining if perceived parenting (warmth vs. rejection) moderates them. Determining if warm/accepting parenting buffers this association, and if rejecting/harsh parenting exacerbates this association.