Abstract

This study investigates the roles of the Dark Tetrad personality traits (Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Sadism) and impulsivity in social media addiction within the Malaysian context. Utilizing a sample of 500 participants across various demographic backgrounds, this research explores the relationships between these personality traits, impulsivity, and social media addiction. Our findings suggest that higher levels of Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and impulsivity are significantly associated with greater social media addiction, while Psychopathy and Sadism show less consistent effects. This study contributes to understanding the psychological underpinnings of social media addiction and provides implications for targeted interventions in Malaysia.