Abstract
PurposeThere is a high prevalence of stress, depression, and burn-out in medical students. Medical students differ widely in personality traits, self-perceptions, and values that may have an impact on their well-being. This study aimed to investigate variability in their personality profiles in relation to their potential for well-being and resilience.MethodParticipants were 808 medical students from The University of Queensland. An online questionnaire collected socio-demographics and the Temperament and Character Inventory to assess personality traits. Latent profile analyses identified students’ trait profiles.ResultsTwo distinct personality profiles were identified. Profile 1 (“Resilient”) characterized 60% of the sample and was distinguished by low Harm Avoidance combined with very high Persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness compared to Profile 2 ("Conscientious"). Both Profiles had average levels of Reward Dependence and Novelty Seeking and low levels of Self-Transcendence. Profiles did not differ by age, gender, or country of birth, but rural background students were more likely to have Profile 1. While both Profiles indicate mature and healthy personalities, the combination of traits in Profile 1 is more strongly indicative of well-being and resilience.ConclusionsFinding two distinct profiles of personality highlights the importance of considering combinations of traits and how they may interact with medical students’ potential for well-being. Although both profiles of students show healthy personalities, many may lack the resilience to maintain well-being over years of medical training. Programs that develop character and personality self-awareness would enhance their well-being and prepare them to promote the health of their patients.
Highlights
The high prevalence of stress, anxiety, burnout and depression among medical students is increasingly documented [1,2,3,4]
Profile 1 (“Resilient”) characterized 60% of the sample and was distinguished by low Harm Avoidance combined with very high Persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness compared to Profile 2 ("Conscientious")
Finding two distinct profiles of personality highlights the importance of considering combinations of traits and how they may interact with medical students’ potential for well-being
Summary
The high prevalence of stress, anxiety, burnout and depression among medical students is increasingly documented [1,2,3,4]. There is growing awareness of threats to student health with many schools introducing or testing interventions and development programs to nurture and maintain overall well-being [7,8,9,10]. Such health promotion are important ways to increase the awareness of students who may be at risk of ill health. In order to engage in effective health promotion for medical students, educators need answers to several key questions Why is it that some students thrive during medical school whereas other flounder under stress? Instilling such health awareness may benefit them as students, but help them understand how to promote the health of their patients, as physicians [11]
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