Cross-cultural examination of the bifactor structure and network invariance of dark triad items across four countries

Several investigations have addressed the study of dark triad traits only as specific factors and without taking into account countries where these tendencies can be expressed in culturally diverse ways. The present study aimed to analyze and compare quantitative models of the general tendency of dark personality traits using the bifactor model and a network comparison network across four countries: United States, Peru, Serbia and Germany. A total of n = 2715 adults (59% female, M = 31.04) participated considering open-access data and Peruvian data collection. The well-known dark triad instruments such as the Short Dark Triad and Dirty Dozen scales were used. The results revealed that a bifactor model of the Dark Triad exhibited satisfactory fit indices, and the estimated networks reflected a unique and stable structure of positive correlations of aversive traits in general and in specific clusters. The Machiavellianism domain of the Dirty Dozen scale was the most consistent measure of centrality (expected influence and bridge-expected influence) and predictability that favored interconnectedness with the other traits in the overall multicultural network. Finally, structural differences in dark trait connections were identified in all countries except among European countries.