Dark Triad, Othello Syndrome, and Intimate Partner Violence: A ‎Correlational Study

Intimate partner violence is a fairly common phenomenon with severe consequences. This correlational, cross-sectional study aims to analyze the relationship between the Dark Triad traits, namely psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, on the one hand, and intimate partner violence, on the other, alongside the relationship between Othello syndrome/pathological jealousy and intimate partner violence. It is hypothesized that the Dark Triad traits and Othello syndrome/pathological jealousy would be positively associated with intimate partner violence. The sample was gathered conveniently, as the link to the study was shared online and potential participants were invited to take part in the study. The final sample included 200 individuals 113 females (56.5%) and 87 males (43.5%), with an average age of 40.7 years. Hierarchical linear regression, with three separate models, showed that only psychopathy was a significant predictor of intimate partner violence (standardized beta coeff.= .734). The implications of these findings are discussed, as well as the possible reasons for not finding the expected effect of Othello syndrome/pathological jealousy, which is a well-understood predictor of intimate partner violence. In case of establishing a causal chain from subclinical psychopathy to intimate partner violence, prevention plans can be formulated both for those with high levels of subclinical psychopathy as well as potential partners who can learn how to recognize the initial signs of intimate partner violence and prevent the more severe consequences.