Psychological well-being and associated factors among orthopedic surgery residents in the United States

Introduction: Over the last decade, mental health concerns have increased for medical students and residents. Our goal was to add to the literature by examining U.S. orthopedic surgery residents’ (N = 179; women = 84; White = 126) psychological well-being and the demographic and program-related factors associated with it. Materials and methods: Residents anonymously completed a cross-sectional, online survey from September 2024 through January 2025. They provided demographic information as well as program factors. We assessed psychological well-being via life satisfaction, measuring it through the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Faculty support was measured through the Johns Hopkins Learning Environment Scale (JHLES). Results: Just over 25% of residents reported neutral or lower levels of life satisfaction. Higher levels of life satisfaction were significantly correlated with sleep satisfaction (r = 0.29, p < 0.001), sleeping 6 to 8 h per night (r = 0.23, p = 0.002), having an ongoing interest in orthopedics (r = 0.56, p < 0.001), and support from residency program faculty (r = 0.52, p < 0.001). Further, the residents’ postgraduate year in their program (F (4, 174) = 3.57, p = 0.009) and their relationship status (F (2, 176) = 5.89, p = 0.003) mattered in terms of their reported levels of life satisfaction. Postgraduate year (PGY)-1 and PGY-5 residents had significantly higher life satisfaction than PGY-2 residents. Married residents were the most satisfied with their lives. Conclusions: Although generally satisfied, residents’ well-being varied significantly based on several key factors. Residency training programs can take active measures to help improve their residents’ well-being and life satisfaction, which may improve their surgical performance.