J Relig Health. 2026 Mar 22. doi: 10.1007/s10943-026-02621-6. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Although humility is the opposite end of the same continuum as the dark triad, little is known about how this virtue can be cultivated to prevent the negative influence of narcissistic, Machiavellian, and psychopathic attitudes in the workplace. Based on the relational spirituality framework and trait activation theory, this paper proposes the verification of the mechanism underlying the link between religious practices and dark triad personality traits. Here, humility acts as a mediator and the perception of bond with God acts as a moderator in the relationship between religious practices and humility, and a caring ethical climate acts as a moderator in the link between humility and dark triad traits. The study involved 1071 employees from Poland. Consistent with the relational spirituality approach, the perception of a strong and trustful relationship with God amplified the positive effect of religious practices on humble attitude. In addition, in line with trait activation theory, the perception of a caring ethical climate strengthened the negative effects of humility on Machiavellianism and psychopathy but not on narcissism. Moreover, statistically significant mediating effects of humility moderated by the perception of bond with God were noticed on the relationship between prayer and Machiavellianism and between prayer and Mass attendance and psychopathy, but not narcissism.
PMID:41865331 | DOI:10.1007/s10943-026-02621-6
