The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between big five personality traits and depression among Chinese preclinical medical students: a multicenter cross-sectional study

This study found a high prevalence of depression among preclinical medical students and self-compassion had a significant mediating effect on the relationship between extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and depression. Medical institutions and related authorities need to consider implementing effective interventions to cultivate preclinical medical students' self-compassion to protect them against depression and make them better prepared for the succeeding clinical study.