Happiness is associated with higher narcissism but lower psychopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between happiness and the Dark Triad

Prior meta-analyses demonstrated a close link between personality traits such as the Big Five and happiness. However, to date, no comparable meta-analysis has looked into the relationship between happiness and the Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy). Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between the Dark Triad and happiness and reviewed their correlations. Four databases (Psycinfo, Medline, Web of Science, ScienceDirect) were searched. Sixteen studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that: 1) narcissism was positively associated with happiness (ρ = 0.18, k = 16, N = 6965); 2) there was no significant association between Machiavellianism and happiness (ρ = −0.06, k = 6, N = 1944); and 3) psychopathy was negatively associated with happiness (ρ = −0.23, k = 12, N = 2943). Results discuss the importance of distinguishing the three domains of the Dark Triad in future research and practice. •This is the first meta-analysis linking the Dark Triad traits to happiness.•Narcissism relates to significantly greater happiness (small to medium effect size).•Machiavellianism is not significantly related to happiness.•Psychopathy relates to significantly lower happiness (small to medium effect size).