Examination of manipulation in the interpersonal relationships within the context of childhood traumas, selfobject needs and dark triad personality traits

This research it is aimed to investigate levels of resorting to manipulation of adults in their social relationships within the framework of childhood traumas, self object needs, and dark triad personality traits. In line with this objective, the predictor effect of childhood traumas, self object needs, and dark triad personality traits on manipulation are investigated together. Also, it is formed an estimate of whether there is a difference in people's levels of resorting to manipulation based on their ages, educational background, level of income, child-rearing attitude that is perceived from parents, and parents' level of education. The sample of this research in which the correlational survey model is used is 480 people whose ages are between 18-65 are determined with the proper sample method. The Emotional Manipulation Scale in relations, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-33), Selfobject Needs Inventory, and Short Dark Triad (SD3) are used for this research. The data from the research is investigated with a one-way analysis of variance, independent samples t-test, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The results of the analysis are introduced and interpreted with tables. Based on the results of the research, there is a positive relationship between manipulation and childhood traumas, dark triad personality traits, avoidance orientation from idealization/twinship, and approach orientation toward mirroring idealization/twinship; one of the traits of dark triad personality traits subclinical psychopathy, Machiavellism, and subclinical narcissism; childhood traumas; approach orientation toward mirroring, idealization/twinship and avoidance orientation from idealization/twinship all together predict 47% of the manipulation and it is detected that the level of using manipulation adults in their bilateral relationships differ based on sociodemographic attributes. Keywords: Childhood Trauma, Dark Triad Personality Traits, Manipulation, Selfobject Needs Inventory.