Story perspectives

Dark Personality Traits Drive Problematic AI Use, Study Shows

7/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Professor Kagan Kircaburun published a BMC Psychology study linking narcissism and dark traits to problematic AI use.
The survey of 677 users (50 % men) assessed problematic use, uncertainty intolerance, individualism and the Dark Triad.
Higher narcissism, Machiavellianism, sadism, intolerance of uncertainty and vertical individualism each predicted problematic AI use.
Vertical individualism fully mediated narcissism-use link for women and partially for men, with low use and a cross-sectional design limiting conclusions.

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Story summary

Professor Kagan Kircaburun published a BMC Psychology study linking narcissism and dark traits to problematic AI use.
The survey of 677 users (50 % men) assessed problematic use, uncertainty intolerance, individualism and the Dark Triad.
Higher narcissism, Machiavellianism, sadism, intolerance of uncertainty and vertical individualism each predicted problematic AI use.
Vertical individualism fully mediated narcissism-use link for women and partially for men, with low use and a cross-sectional design limiting conclusions.