Dark triad traits and victim blaming in partner stalking: The mediating roles of partner stalking myths and perceived severity

Albayrak İ., ULUSOY DOĞMUŞ Y.

Personality and Individual Differences, cilt.259, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 259
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.paid.2026.113869
  • Dergi Adı: Personality and Individual Differences
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, Index Islamicus, Psycinfo, Violence & Abuse Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Dark personality triad, Partner stalking myths, Perceived severity, Perceptions of violence, Scale development, Victim blaming
  • İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Partner stalking is a prevalent issue among young adult women, and observers' victim-blaming perceptions often contribute to secondary victimization. To this end, the present research had two aims: to develop a novel measure of partner stalking myths and to test the processes linking dark personality traits to victim-blaming tendencies. This research was carried out in two studies with university student samples. In Study 1 ( N = 1.324), we developed and validated the Partner Stalking Myths Scale (PSMS), identifying a robust two-factor structure with sound psychometric properties. In Study 2 ( N = 377), we employed a scenario-based design and SEM to test a serial mediation model. Results revealed that Machiavellianism—but not psychopathy or narcissism—predicted stronger endorsement of stalking myths. These myths, in turn, reduced perceived severity of stalking behaviors, which subsequently heightened victim-blaming tendencies. Gender differences in mean levels were also observed: men were more likely than women to endorse myths, perceive stalking behaviors as less severe, and blame victims. However, gender did not moderate the structural pathways. Overall, the findings highlight a cognitive mechanism linking personality traits to victim blaming in partner stalking, with important implications for prevention and intervention efforts.