Clinical Psychology and Personality

Clinical Psychology and Personality

The Role of the Dark Triad of Personality, Competitiveness, and Moral Intelligence in Students' Schadenfreude

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fereshte Pour Mohseni Koluri 1
Latife Nemati 2
Sahel Hadian Shibabandani 3
1 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran,Iran
2 MSc in General Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
3 PhD Student in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
10.22070/cpap.2026.20891.1775
Abstract
Introduction: The primary aim of this study is to examine the roles of the dark triad personality traits, competitiveness, and moral intelligence in students' experience of schadenfreude, using a descriptive-correlational research design.
Method: The statistical population of this study comprised 2,520 students from universities in Meshgin Shahr during the 2022-2023 academic year. A sample of 200 students was selected using quota sampling. Data were collected using the following questionnaires: Jenison and Wister's Dark Triad Personality Traits (2010), Franken's Competitiveness Scale (1995), Lenik and Kiel's Moral Intelligence Scale (2005), and Yeganeh et al.'s Schadenfreude Questionnaire (2023). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, employing Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression tests.
Results: The findings of this study demonstrated that schadenfreude in students is significantly correlated with narcissism (r = 0.378), antisocial behavior (r = 0.406), competitiveness (r = 0.260), and moral intelligence (r = -0.260) (p < 0.05). Additionally, regression analysis revealed that moral intelligence (β = -0.268), competitiveness (β = 0.254), and antisocial behavior (β = 0.234) were the strongest predictors of students' happiness (p < 0.05).
Discussion and conclusion: Based on the research findings, the three dark personality traits, competitiveness, and moral intelligence are among the most significant predictors of schadenfreude in students. These factors should be taken into account in treatment and support programs.
Keywords
Moral Intelligence
Schadenfreude
The Dark Triad Traits
Competition
Student
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Clinical Psychology and Personality
Volume 24, Issue 2 - Serial Number 47
September 2026
Pages 61-72