Sinan Erdem Satılmış
The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between leisure boredom and dark triad personality traits among university students. The study employed a cross-sectional correlational research design. The population consisted of undergraduate students enrolled at Yalova University, and the sample comprised 709 students (356 females and 353 males) selected through convenience sampling and participating voluntarily. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Leisure Boredom Scale, and the Dark Triad Scale. Descriptive statistics, Independent Samples t-tests, and Pearson correlation analyses were conducted. The findings revealed a strong negative correlation between leisure boredom and Machiavellianism (r = −.789, p < .001), a strong positive correlation with psychopathy (r = .777, p < .001), and a moderate positive correlation with narcissism (r = .306, p < .001). Accordingly, higher levels of leisure boredom were associated with stronger psychopathic and narcissistic tendencies, whereas Machiavellian tendencies decreased. These findings suggest that leisure boredom is not merely a temporary emotional state but is closely associated with individual personality characteristics. However, because the study was based on a cross-sectional correlational design, causal inferences cannot be drawn regarding the relationships identified.