Dark triad personality traits and victim-blaming tendencies in intimate partner stalking: The serial mediating roles of partner stalking myths and perceived severity of the behavior

The primary aim of this research is to examine the direct and indirect effects of dark personality traits (machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) on partner stalking myths, perceived severity of stalking behaviors, and victim-blaming tendencies within the context of partner stalking. In addition, the potential role of gender in these relationships was evaluated. The study was designed using a quantitative, correlational research design and conducted in two phases with a university student sample. In Study 1 (n = 1,324), the Partner Stalking Myths Scale (PSMS) was developed, and validity and reliability analyses were performed. The analyses revealed that the scale consisted of 7 items and two subdimensions (normalization and victim-blaming), demonstrating a valid and reliable structure. In the second study (n = 377), the scenario-based model was tested using correlation analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM), with indirect effects evaluated via bootstrapping. At this stage, perceived severity of stalking behavior and victim-blaming tendencies were measured using scenario-based questions, while the Partner Stalking Myths Scale and the Dark Personality Traits Scale were also administered. Serial mediation relationships were examined within the SEM framework; gender differences were assessed using independent samples t-tests, and the moderating role of gender was tested using multi-group SEM analyses. Findings indicated that only Machiavellianism significantly predicted endorsement of partner stalking myths. The myths formed a serial mediation pathway, in which they reduced the perceived severity of stalking behaviors, and lower severity perceptions increased victim-blaming tendencies. Additionally, male participants were more likely to endorse stalking myths, perceive stalking behavior as less severe, and report higher levels of victim blaming. However, the moderating effect of gender in the structural model was found to be non-significant. These findings contribute to understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying victim-blaming in partner stalking and offer important implications for prevention and intervention efforts.