Who Cares About Others’ Opinions? The Mediating Role of Fear of Negative Evaluation in the Relationship Between Dark Tetrad Traits and the Perfectionistic Online Self

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between Dark Tetrad traits and a perfectionistic online self-presentation strategy, with particular focus on the mediating role of fear of negative evaluation in these associations. A sample of 320 participants (63.4% female) in early adulthood (18–25 years) completed Serbian adaptations of the Short Dark Tetrad, the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, and the Perfectionistic Online Self-Presentation Scale. The results of the mediation analysis indicated that Machiavellianism and (grandiose) narcissism had direct positive effects on the tendency toward a perfectionistic online self and also demonstrated indirect effects via fear of negative evaluation. Narcissism was positively associated with a perfectionistic online self through lower fear of negative evaluation. In other words, higher levels of narcissism were related to lower fear of negative evaluation, yet simultaneously to a stronger tendency toward perfectionistic online self-presentation. In contrast, Machiavellianism was positively associated with a perfectionistic online self through higher fear of negative evaluation. Furthermore, psychopathy was negatively associated with a perfectionistic online self through lower fear of negative evaluation, whereas sadism showed neither significant direct nor indirect effects. The findings reveal differentiated patterns of associations between Dark Tetrad traits and perfectionistic online self-presentation strategies, highlighting the distinct regulatory role of fear of negative evaluation in shaping digital identity.