“Releasing the beast within”? Authenticity, well-being, and the Dark Tetrad

Two studies examined whether the well-documented link between authenticity and well-being is moderated by the Dark Tetrad (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism). We predicted that among those high on these traits, authenticity would be less strongly associated with well-being. Study 1 (N = 404) and Study 2 (N = 415) showed that authenticity was less strongly related to well-being among those high on Dark Tetrad personality traits. In addition, Study 2 showed that the pattern of moderation was not accounted for by desirability bias. Study 2 demonstrated that the Dark Tetrad did not moderate the association between authenticity and basic need satisfaction. In both studies, at low levels of authenticity, the Dark Tetrad were associated with higher well-being.