Exploring Personality Traits, Values, and Attitudes toward Professionalism: Implications for the Promotion of Mental Health and Functioning in Medical Students

Healthcare workers face significant mental health challenges, including stress, burnout, and psychological distress, leading to high rates of mental health symptoms and even suicide attempts, as well as an increase in medication errors and unprofessional behavior. Targeted interventions are needed to address these issues. However, promoting healthier traits in medical students or refining selection could also prove beneficial, as research shows that mental health is significantly influenced by personality traits and personal values. This study examines the relationship between personality traits, values, and attitudes toward professionalism among medical students in Slovenia. A total of 996 participants were examined in three data collections from the academic years 2015–2016 to 2019–2020 using the Big Five Questionnaire, the Personal Values Scale, and the Attitude Toward Professionalism Scale. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the factors associated with professionalism. The results showed that attitudes toward professionalism were stable over the years, with higher scores consistently associated with the female gender, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Conversely, material value orientation had a negative impact on professionalism. In addition, we examine the associations between mental health and personality traits, personal values, and attitudes toward professionalism to illustrate the importance of selecting and nurturing medical students, based on traits that promote mental health and professional behavior. These findings may lead to improvements in medical education and selection processes to improve the well-being and functioning of future medical professionals.