Linking dark triad traits to procrastination: A sequential mediation model involving time perspectives and passion

Abstract

This study investigates the cross-sectional associations between dark personality traits, time perspectives, passion,and procrastination. Drawing on Zimbardo's time perspective theory and Vallerand's dualistic model ofpassion, we examined how Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy relate to procrastination by means oftemporal orientation and types of passion. A sample of 824 Spanish adults (ages 18–34), recruited via nonprobabilisticquota sampling, completed validated measures of the target constructs. Structural equationmodeling using a robust estimator revealed that subclinical psychopathy exhibits a significant indirect associationwith procrastination via a fatalistic present time perspective and obsessive passion. In contrast, narcissismand Machiavellianism showed no significant indirect associations. Harmonious passion was negatively associatedwith procrastination, while obsessive passion showed a positive link. Additionally, present hedonistic and futureperspectives were linked to harmonious and obsessive passion, respectively. These findings highlight the role oftemporal orientations and the two types of passion in understanding procrastination within specific personalityprofiles. The results suggest that these model-consistent conditional pathways may inform future interventionresearch targeting time perspective adjustments and passion regulation to alleviate procrastination tendencies.