Influence of Personality Traits on Mental Health and Performance of Medical Residents and Physicians: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
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Background
Medical residents and physicians face high rates of burnout, psychological distress, and impaired professional functioning. Big Five personality traits are stable characteristics that may explain variation in vulnerability and coping, but evidence in this population remains inconsistent. We aimed to synthesise associations between Big Five traits and stress-related outcomes, coping, and performance in medical residents and physicians.
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42023483408). PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE (Ovid), Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to November 15, 2023, updated through January 2026. Eligible studies were primary research in English involving medical residents and/or practising physicians, assessing at least one Big Five trait and a validated measure of stress, coping, or performance. Two reviewers independently screened records; data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second. Risk of bias was assessed using the AXIS tool supplemented by JBI criteria and the Cochrane RoB 2. Pearson r was pooled using random-effects models (REML) when k≥3 studies used the same outcome instrument.
Findings
Of 4967 records identified, 34 studies (21,379 participants; 17 countries) met inclusion criteria. Neuroticism was associated with greater emotional exhaustion (pooled r=0·42 [95% CI 0·22–0·62], k=11 studies), depersonalisation (r=0·30 [0·17–0·44], k=11), lower personal accomplishment (r=−0·24 [−0·39 to −0·09], k=11), and greater psychological distress (r=0·52 [0·18–0·87], k=3). Conscientiousness and, to a lesser extent, Extraversion and Agreeableness showed small protective associations with burnout dimensions (EE and DP: r=−0·11 to −0·36; PA r=0·11–0·31, k=11). Openness showed a weak, selective pattern. Heterogeneity was substantial (I²>75%); risk of bias was low-to-moderate for most studies.
Interpretation
Big Five traits have modest associations with burnout, distress, coping, and performance in physicians and residents. These findings support personality assessment as a formative resource in medical education and workforce development.
Funding
None.
