The two faces of emotional manipulation: The mediating role of personality traits in the life satisfaction of perpetrators and victims of emotional manipulation

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of emotional manipulation, considering both victimhood and perpetration dimensions, on individuals' life satisfaction, and to evaluate the mediating role of personality traits in this relationship. The study was conducted using a correlational research design with a mediation model. The sample consisted of a total of 378 adult individuals selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Emotional Blackmail Scale (EBS), the Manipulation in Relationships Scale (MRS), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire – Revised Short Form, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, independent samples t-test and mediation analyses using Hayes' Process v4.2 macro were employed to analyze the data. According to the findings, significant relationships were identified among emotional blackmail, manipulation in relationships, and life satisfaction. In particular, neuroticism and lie tendency were determined as significant mediators in the relationship between manipulation and life satisfaction. Regarding gender, women scored higher in extraversion and neuroticism, while men scored higher in psychoticism. Furthermore, women were also found to have significantly higher lie scores than men. In conclusion, this study revealed that personality traits play a critical mediating role in the relationship between emotional manipulation and life satisfaction, demonstrating that manipulation can affect individuals' life satisfaction indirectly