The Dark Triad and three types of jealousy: Its' relations among heterosexuals and homosexuals involved in a romantic relationship

The current study examined the relations between the three Dark Triad (DT) traits and three types of jealousy, among both heterosexual and homosexual men and women involved in a romantic relationship (n=439). It was hypothesized that the three DT traits would be related positively to those types of jealousy that have the potential to become delusional, that is anxious and preventive jealousy, but not to the relatively ‘healthy’ type of jealousy, that is reactive jealousy. In addition, differences were examined between men and women, and between homosexuals and heterosexuals with regard to the DT traits, the three types of jealousy, and the relationships between these variables. Results largely confirmed the hypothesis. In addition, moderation analyses showed that the relationships between the three DT traits and the three types of jealousy were not moderated by participant sex or sexual orientation. The current study's findings may deepen our understanding of the role of the DT in the mating psychology of both heterosexuals and homosexuals. •The Dark Triad traits are related positively to anxious and preventive jealousy.•These relations are not moderated by participant sex and sexual orientation.•Heterosexual men showed relatively high levels of psychopathy.