A study on the current status and influencing factors of psychological capital among medical undergraduates

Objective This study aimed to investigate the current status of psychological capital among medical undergraduates and its relationships with professional satisfaction and professional identity. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2025 to December 2025 among medical undergraduates at a medical university in Jiangsu Province, China. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on psychological capital, demographic characteristics, professional satisfaction, and professional identity. Data were analyzed using t -tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons, and regression analysis. Results A total of 837 valid questionnaires were collected. Results indicated that medical undergraduates exhibited a generally sound level of psychological capital, yet significant differences existed across academic years ( p < 0.001), student leadership ( p < 0.001), and place of origin ( p = 0.002). Professional identity ( p < 0.001) and academic year ( p = 0.028) were significantly positively influenced on psychological capital among medical undergraduates, whereas non-student-leader status ( p = 0.003) and rural origin ( p = 0.032) were significantly negatively influenced on psychological capital. Professional satisfaction did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.383). Conclusion This study revealed that the degree of professional identity served as a significant positive influence on psychological capital among medical undergraduates, whereas professional satisfaction had no significant influence. It was recommended to strengthen professional identity cultivation in medical education and optimize the selection and training mechanisms for student leaders to enhance medical undergraduates’ psychological capital and promote their comprehensive development.