EN
Introduction. Adolescence, as a period of sudden and intense changes, represents an important area of research. Researchers are less likely to study adolescents from special educational institutions, despite the fact that findings regarding their social competencies and dark triad traits could contribute to a less explored domain. In this study, we examine the relationships between social competencies and dark triad traits in adolescents from special educational institutions. We also investigate differences between adolescents from these institutions and a reference group. Methods. Data were collected through questionnaires administered in person at four special educational institutions. A total of 40 adolescents participated in the study. The reference group consisted of 45 adolescents. Participation was anonymous, and the research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Pan-European University. Results. We found positive relationships between the dimension of narcissism and self-presentation (rs = 0,529), extraversion (rs = 0,324); and between psychopathy and extraversion (rs = 0,358). A negative correlation was found between narcissism and listening (rs = -0,409), as well as between Machiavellianism and listening (rs = -0,305). We identified differences in the dimension of perspective-taking (d = 0,453) in favor of adolescents from the reference group and in extraversion (d = 0,707) in favor of adolescents from special educational institutions. Conclusion. Our data supported the empirical findings regarding the relationships between Machiavellianism and listening; narcissism and extraversion; self-presentation and listening; psychopathy and extraversion, which are in line with previous results by other authors. We did not support the empirical foundations of the research in the relationships between Machiavellianism and perspective-taking, self-control, emotional stability, and self-presentation, as well as in the relationships between psychopathy and perspective-taking, listening, and self-control. In the article, we discuss possible alternative explanations for these findings.