TITLE:
The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Dark Side Personality Traits: A Study from Africa
AUTHORS:
Adrian Furnham, Nicola Taylor
KEYWORDS:
Derailers, EQ, Work Performance, Dark Side
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.17 No.4,
April
27,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study attempted to examine the Emotional Intelligence (EI) domain and facet correlates of the dark-side personality traits. Over 430 people completed two validated questionnaires: one measuring 11 derailment characteristics (HDS: Hogan Development Survey) and the other a revised measure of Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i 2.0). There were a few gender differences on both measures. Factor analysis (with Varimax rotation) of the HDS measure yielded four rather than three factors. Hierarchical regressions showed different EI facets related to the HDS higher order factors: Individuals in the moving away cluster were low on Self-Expression and Stress Management, while those high on moving against were high on both Self-Perception and Self-Expression but low on Decision Making. Analysis including the 15 EQ-i 2.0 facets, gave greater insight into the relationship between these two variables. Implications for selection and development, as well as limitations of the study, are considered.