The Mediating Role of Metacognition in the Relationship between Dark Triad Personality Traits and Smartphone Addiction among Tehran Universities Students

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of metacognitive beliefs on the relationship between the dark triad of personality and smartphone addiction among universities students. The research method was descriptive-correlational using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all universities students with the age range of 18-35 years in Tehran city in 2023. A sample of 457 students was selected using the voluntarily sampling method, and responded to the Dirty Dozen Scale, the Metacognitive Beliefs Questionnaire, and the Smartphone Addiction Scale. Pearson’s correlation method and structural equation modeling were used for the statistical data analysis. The results showed that the dark triad of personality had a positive and significant relationship with smartphone addiction, and metacognitive beliefs mediated this relationship significantly. The research findings emphasizing the importance of metacognition in conjunction with dark personality traits showed that metacognitive beliefs played a fundamental role in the tendency to become addicted to smartphones. Therefore, it is suggested that designing interventions based on metacognition should be considered in the treatment of smartphone addiction.

Keywords

• dark triad personality traits
• metacognition
• smartphone addiction
• university student