Manipulation is frequently associated with personality disorders and negative relational outcomes, but empirical studies have varied widely in its conceptualization and measurement. The present meta-analysis examined the overall association between manipulation and relational quality across 16 studies (53 effect sizes, N = 10,874). Manipulation was significantly negatively associated with relational quality (r = -0.215, p < .001). When examined separately, Machiavellianism (r = -0.219) and emotional manipulation (r = -0.210) both showed moderate negative associations with relational quality, but the difference between them was not significant. Gender, relationship type, and measurement approach did not moderate the effect. These findings suggest that individuals higher in manipulativeness tend to perceive their relationships as lower in quality – regardless of how manipulativeness is operationalized. Future research should further clarify the conceptual distinctions between Machiavellianism and emotional manipulation and incorporate longitudinal, experimental, and observational methods to assess causality and identify manipulative tactics.

Keywords: manipulation, Machiavellianism, emotional manipulation, relational quality, interpersonal relationships, Dark Triad, meta-analysis, interpersonal communication

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.113485