This article examines how vulnerable dark personality traits—specifically Factor II Psychopathy, Vulnerable Narcissism, and Borderline Personality—predict problematic smartphone and social media use. Using data from two studies and guided by the I-PACE model, it shows that social media use often acts as the initial trigger that leads to broader digital dependence, with different traits linking to smartphone or social media issues. The findings highlight mediation pathways where social media use bridges vulnerable traits to general phone addiction, while noting limitations like self-report data and cross-sectional design.

This work is of interest to psychology readers because it expands the portrait of how personality shapes technology use, introducing the Vulnerable Dark Triad as a distinct predictor of digital behavior. It connects personality theory with online behavior, highlighting how social validation needs and emotional dysregulation can drive measurable patterns like PSU and PSMU. The mediation findings offer a nuanced view of the sequence from social media engagement to broader smartphone dependence.

Article Title: The hidden role of vulnerable dark personality traits in digital addiction

Link to PsyPost Article: ift dot tt/lScnd3W

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