Dark Personality Traits and the Big Five Personality Traits of Fathers in Relation to Sons’ Self-Confidence, Self-Esteem, and Attachment Style: The Moderating Role of Fathers’ Life Strategy and Reproductive Value

Abstract

Abstract The present study examined the associations between paternal personality characteristics, the father–son relationship, and sons’ self-esteem and attachment. It also investigated whether paternal life-history strategy and mate value moderated these associations. A total of 200 male participants (M = 27.95, SD = 8.80) completed self-report measures assessing their self- esteem, self-confidence, and attachment, as well as their perceptions of paternal Dark Triad traits, Big Five personality traits, and paternal behaviour. Pearson correlations, multiple regression analyses, and moderation analyses were conducted using Jamovi. Paternal neuroticism was positively associated with anxious and avoidant attachment, whereas paternal conscientiousness and supportive paternal behaviour were associated with higher self-esteem and lower attachment insecurity. Paternal Machiavellianism was positively associated with anxious attachment, while paternal narcissism showed an unexpected negative association with avoidant attachment and remained a significant negative predictor in the regression model. Paternal mate value significantly moderated the relationship between conscientiousness and sons’ avoidant attachment, with the negative association being stronger at lower levels of mate value. No significant moderating effects were found for paternal life- history strategy. Overall, the findings suggest that paternal personality and paternal behaviour are associated with sons’ self-esteem and attachment, highlighting the importance of considering personality, relational, and evolutionary factors together when examining father– son relationships.