Discover Psychology (Oct 2024)
Personality traits & their relation to academic burnout and satisfaction with medicine as a career in Jordanian medical students
Abstract
Abstract Background This research aims to investigate the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and their impact on academic burnout and satisfaction within the context of pursuing a medical career, particularly focusing on medical students in the University of Jordan. This investigation aims to enhance the overall well-being and success of medical students, ultimately enhancing the quality of medical services provided by future physicians. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the University of Jordan between January-June of 2024. A self-administered online survey was filled by 436 medical students from the first to sixth academic year. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed personality traits using the Big Five Inventory (BFI), academic burnout by Copenhagen burnout inventory-student version (CBI-S), as well as students’ satisfaction using one question with a scale from 1 to 5. For data analysis, R statistical software version 4.3.2 was used. Results Individuals with high levels of neuroticism exhibited higher levels of burnout (β = 0.429, SE = 0.048, t = 8.849, p < 0.001) and lower satisfaction with medicine (β = − 0.515, SE = 0.068, t = − 7.616, p < 0.001), while other traits like conscientiousness, extraversion, openness, and agreeableness were associated with lower levels of burnout and higher satisfaction. Gender differences were significant, with females showing higher neuroticism levels and scoring differently across burnout domains. Conclusion The study aims to illuminate how personality traits contribute to academic burnout development, suggesting that recognizing the influence of these traits and making adjustments could enhance students’ well-being and satisfaction, as well as mitigating burnout among them. Additionally, it may motivate educators to develop innovative educational strategies tailored to assist students who are particularly vulnerable to burnout.
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