Associations Between Basic Personality Traits and the Dark Triad and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Youth

Risky sexual behavior represents a significant public health concern, and examining the factors that contribute to its occurrence among young people has become increasingly important. Personality traits, as defined by Zuckerman's alternative five-factor model (Activity, Aggression-Hostility, Impulsive Sensation Seeking, Neuroticism-Anxiety, Sociability), along with the traits of the Dark Triad (psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism), are often associated with high-risk behaviors-both in the context of sexual relationships and broader social and emotional conduct. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the basic personality traits of Zuckerman’s alternative five-factor model and the of the Dark Triad traits in the context of risky sexual behavior among youth. The sample consisted of 252 participants (204 women and 48 men), with an average age of 24.4 years (SD = 4.67). Data were collected using the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ-50-CC), the Short Dark Triad Scale (SD3), and the Sexual Behavior Measurement Questionnaire (SBM-Q). Results of the hierarchical regression analysis indicated that Dark Triad traits-particularly psychopathy-significantly predicted risky sexual behaviors, including casual sex, relations with unfamiliar partners, and engagement in risky sexual practices. The personality trait of Sensation Seeking, as defined by Zuckerman's model, was found to be a negative predictor of risky sexual behavior. These findings suggest that both Dark Triad traits and basic personality traits play a significant role in shaping the sexual behavior of young individuals, highlighting the importance of early identification and targeted interventions in this domain.