The relationship between dark triad personality traits and whistleblowing behavior in academic nurses

This study was conducted on 401 academic nurses between November 2023 and August 2024 to determine the relationship between the Dark Triad personality traits of academic nurses and whistleblowing behavior. Data were collected via an online survey form including an "Introductory Information Form," "Short Dark Triad Scale," "Whistleblowing Scale," and "Reasons for Whistleblowing Scale." The study found that academic nurses' Dark triad traits and their sub-dimensions (type of institution they work in, title, level of education, presence or absence of administrative duties), whistleblowing behaviors and their sub-dimensions (accreditation status of the institution), and reasons for whistleblowing and their sub-dimensions (type of university, title, presence or absence of administrative duties) differed according to various demographic characteristics. As a result of the study, it was determined that the dark triad traits were at a below average level (X=67.45±10.75), and their narcissism levels (25.76±5.00) were higher than psychopathy (17.84±4.55) and machiavellianism (23.84±5.74). It was determined that the whistleblowing level of academic nurses was at the average level (X=51.89±9.47), and they exhibited more internal whistleblowing and supportive whistleblowing behaviors. Although there was no general relationship between the dark triad and whistleblowing behaviors, there was a positive and significant relationship between narcissism and whistleblowing (r=0.098, p=0.05); the dark triad had a positive and significant relationship with external whistleblowing behavior (r=0.187, p=0.00); between machiavellianism and supportive whistleblowing (r=0.103, p=0.03); A positive, very weak, but significant relationship was found between narcissism and internal whistleblowing (r=0.131, p=0.00) and external whistleblowing (r=0.183, p=0.00); and a positive, very weak, but significant relationship was found between psychopathy and external whistleblowing (r=0.232, p=0.00). A negative and significant relationship was found between the dark triad traits and the reasons for whistleblowing (r=0.107, p=0.03). Based on the results, it may be recommended that managers, in particular, take various precautions against whistleblowers who exhibit dark triad personality traits.