Narcissism and Other Dark Traits Linked to Problematic Generative-AI Use, Study Finds

A recent paper in *BMC Psychology* examined how dark personality traits relate to problematic engagement with generative artificial-intelligence (GAI) tools. Researchers surveyed 677 active GAI users (average age ? 40 years; 50 % men) recruited via Prolific. Participants completed the Problematic GAI Use Scale, the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen Scale, the Short Sadistic Impulses Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and an individualism-collectivism measure.

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• Higher scores on narcissism, Machiavellianism and sadism were modestly associated with more pronounced problematic GAI use.

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• Participants with greater problematic use also reported higher intolerance of uncertainty and stronger vertical individualism (a cultural orientation that values personal independence, competition and acceptance of status inequality).

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• Mediation analysis showed that, for women, vertical individualism fully mediated the link between narcissism and problematic use; for men, both vertical individualism and intolerance of uncertainty partially mediated this relationship.

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Kagan Kircaburun, assistant professor at Düzce University in Turkey, concluded that “overall, the findings highlight the central role of individualistic value orientations and uncertainty-related processes in explaining how dark personality traits contribute to PGAIU [problematic use of generative AI].” He suggested that narcissistic individuals may gravitate toward vertical individualism, which in turn predisposes them to excessive or uncontrolled AI interaction.

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The study’s cross-sectional, self-report design precludes causal inference, and reporting bias may have influenced results. Moreover, average levels of problematic AI use in the sample were relatively low, indicating that observed associations may reflect variations in general engagement rather than clinically significant impairment.

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The research adds empirical nuance to emerging concerns about digital-technology overreliance, indicating that personality and cultural values can shape how users interact with generative AI. While the findings are preliminary, they underscore the need for further longitudinal work to determine whether such traits predict harmful AI habits over time.

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