The Dark Triad: Specific or general sources of variance? A bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling approach

The Dark Triad has been proposed to comprise three lower-order facets: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Although multiple inventories have been developed for the Dark Triad, little consensus exists on the internal structure of these inventories. The current study investigated the multidimensional structure of the Dark Triad to provide evidence and recommendations on whether researchers should use a global, overall score representing the combined functioning of the three facets, or separate scores for each facet. We investigated this question through five competing confirmatory factor analysis models to better understand the internal structure of two commonly-used Dark Triad inventories. In both cases, results showed that a bifactor exploratory structural equation model (B-ESEM), which simultaneously estimates global and specific factors, provided evidence for the best model-data fit and evidence for criterion-related validity. These finding suggests that researchers may be better served to examine both the general and specific factors in future Dark Triad research endeavors. •Previously, little consensus on using global versus specific Dark Triad factors•Current study investigated the structural validity of two Dark Triad inventories.•Bifactor exploratory structural equation models (B-ESEMs) demonstrated optimal fit.•Specific and global Dark Triad factors contributed to prediction of self-control.