The Case for Strategic Bastards: Why a Little Machiavellianism Might Save You From Depression

Tuesday, June 17

For the longest time, psychologists have treated the “Dark Triad” like the personality equivalent of asbestos: useful once, maybe, but mostly toxic and definitely best avoided.

Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—those three troublemakers—have been blamed for everything from corporate malfeasance to your uncle’s Facebook rants.

But what if, just maybe, one of these dark traits is quietly doing some good? What if being a bit of a strategic bastard actually helps you stay sane?

That’s the premise of a new study out of Queen’s University Belfast, where researchers have taken a scalpel to the Dark Triad and found something surprising: Machiavellian agency—the calculating, goal-driven cousin of classic Machiavellian sneakiness—might actually help people avoid depression by boosting their coping skills.

Let’s pause here.

No, the study doesn’t say you should gaslight your way to happiness.

But it does suggest that people who score high in this specific Machiavellian subtrait tend to be more flexible in how they deal with stress—and, crucially, report fewer symptoms of depression.

Not All Dark Is Doom

The researchers, led by PhD student Micheala McIlvenna, didn’t just lump folks into “narcissist” or “not a narcissist.”

Instead, they used multi-dimensional inventories to tease apart the complexities of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Think of it like sorting the villains of a Wes Anderson film—some are sad, some are silly, some are secretly competent.

In this case, Machiavellian agency emerged as a standout. It’s the part of Machiavellianism that isn’t just manipulating people for sport, but rather strategically analyzing situations, setting long-term goals, and adjusting behavior to meet those goals.

In short: it’s not about being evil—it’s about being efficient.

And wouldn’t you know it? Those high in Machiavellian agency weren’t just colder—they were also better at flexible coping. They could abandon ineffective strategies, try new ones, and evaluate their own emotional responses like a CEO doing quarterly reviews.

Meanwhile, in the Swamp of Antagonism…

Of course, not all “dark” traits got this redemption arc.

Narcissistic antagonism—the preening, entitled, empathy-deprived flavor of narcissism—was solidly linked with higher depression and stress. Same for secondary psychopathy, the impulsive, emotionally unstable variety that burns through relationships and credit limits alike.

Interestingly, while coping flexibility is generally a good thing, it didn’t buffer these maladaptive traits very well. In these cases, it seems personality might be destiny—or at least a strong headwind.

So, Should You Cultivate Your Inner Machiavelli?

Not exactly. But maybe it’s time to rethink our flat moral labels for personality traits.

McIlvenna and her team argue that some elements of the dark triad—when properly directed—might actually be protective, not pathological. Strategic self-interest isn’t always a flaw. Sometimes, it’s a life raft.

Think about it: in a chaotic world filled with layoffs, climate doomscrolling, and the emotional equivalent of spam calls, who survives? The ones who can pivot. The ones who can look around and say, “Well, that didn’t work. What’s next?”

Apparently, some Machiavellians are just better at doing that—without getting tangled in existential despair.

As McIlvenna puts it, “There’s more to dark personality traits than stereotypes suggest.” Indeed. Maybe what we’ve called “dark” all along is just a different flavor of adaptation—sharp, self-regulated, emotionally distanced enough to play the long game.

Final Thoughts from the Edge of the Moral Bell Curve

Sure, Machiavellian agency won’t win you any hugs at a kindergarten picnic.

But it might just help you dodge depression by helping you assess, adjust, and keep moving. And in this economy, that might be the best-case scenario.

So the next time you hear someone described as “a little too strategic,” don’t recoil.

Maybe they’re just doing what the rest of us should be: navigating life like a chessboard, not a support group.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

McIlvenna, M., Fino, E., & Papageorgiou, K. A. (2025). More than just aversive: The bridge between the dark triad and depression and coping flexibility, the role of Machiavellianism. Personality and Individual Differences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.112345