Predictive Roles of Personality Traits and Self-Compassion in Promoting Psychological Well-Being Among Medical Students: Implications for Mental Health Prevention

Abstract

Medical students face multiple academic and clinical stressors that can compromise their psychological well-being. Identifying protective psychological factors is crucial for developing effective mental health promotion and prevention strategies in university settings. This study examined the relationships between personality traits, self-compassion, and psychological well-being among medical students, focusing on their potential preventive roles. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 162 medical students. Participants completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations, and multiple regression analyses (α<0.05). Mean scores were Neuroticism 22.96±4.87, Extraversion 26.15±5.02, Openness 27.78±4.65, Agreeableness 29.89±5.41, Conscientiousness 30.23±5.12, Self-Compassion 41.13±5.94, and Psychological Well-Being 67.52±8.91. Psychological well-being correlated positively with Openness to Experience (r=0.21, P=0.02) and Conscientiousness (r=0.25, P=0.01). Gender differences were significant for Extraversion, Openness, and the “Common Humanity” dimension of self-compassion (P<0.05). Regression analysis indicated that personality traits significantly predicted psychological well-being (β=0.19, P=0.04), whereas self-compassion was not a direct predictor (β=0.03, P=0.93). Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience play pivotal roles in medical students’ psychological well-being. Notably, this study found no direct predictive relationship between self-compassion and well-being. Rather than a lack of relevance, this finding suggests that in the rigorous context of medical education, self-compassion may function through indirect mechanisms or act as a moderating factor. These findings underscore the importance of interventions that enhance adaptive personality traits, while highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of how self-compassion contributes to resilience and sustainable mental health in high-pressure academic settings. Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience play pivotal roles in medical students’ psychological well-being. Notably, this study found no direct predictive relationship between self-compassion and well-being. Rather than a lack of relevance, this finding suggests that in the rigorous context of medical education, self-compassion may function through indirect mechanisms or act as a moderating factor. These findings underscore the importance of interventions that enhance adaptive personality traits, while highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of how self-compassion contributes to resilience and sustainable mental health in high-pressure academic settings.