Assessment of mental well-being and its relationship with big five personality traits among health care students

 Corresponding author: Marjorie Miraclin K. Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. Assessment of mental well-being and its relationship with big five personality traits among health care students Marjorie Miraclin K * and Suseela Assistant Professor, Faculty of Allied health Sciences, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute.Chennai,India. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 Publication history: Received on 25 February 2025; revised on 03 April 2025; accepted on 05 April 2025 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2025.22.1.0299 Abstract AIM: To assess the Mental well-being of Health care students and examine its relationship with the Big Five personality traits. Objectives: 1. measure the Mental well-being of Health care students. 2. To evaluate the personality traits of students . 3. To Study the Personality traits With Demographic Parameters .4. To Study the association between demographic parameters And Personality traits. 5To study the association between mental well-being and personality traits. Results: The sample was predominantly young (84.2% aged 18–21) and majority female (66.7%). Mental well-being levels were mostly low to moderate, with only 3.1% reporting high well-being. Personality traits showed varied distributions, with many ambiverts and cooperative individuals. Chi-square tests revealed no significant associations between personality traits and well-being. Discussion: The young, female-majority sample reflects common university-based recruitment trends. Low mental well-being levels align with known stressors in young adulthood. Diverse personality profiles suggest balanced traits, but anxiety remains a concern. The lack of significant associations may stem from sample homogeneity or external influences. Conclusion; The findings highlight the mental health vulnerabilities of young adult populations. Gender and age showed no significant links to personality traits in this sample. Despite literature suggesting trait–well-being links, no significant associations were found. Future research should explore broader, more diverse samples and consider contextual factors. Keywords: Mental wellbeing; Warwick Edinburgh Scale; Personality Traits; Mental health 1. Introduction The mental well-being of healthcare students has become an increasingly vital area of research in recent years. These individuals undergo rigorous training that is often accompanied by significant stress and anxiety. Such pressures can negatively impact their mental health, leading to issues such as burnout, depression, and decreased academic performance (Dyrbye et al., 2006). As these students prepare for demanding careers in health professions, it is critical to understand the factors that contribute to their overall mental health to create supportive educational environments. Furthermore, personality traits play a substantial role in shaping students’ mental well-being. Traits such as resilience, empathy, and emotional stability are crucial for navigating the challenges of healthcare education. Studies have World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 290 indicated that students who exhibit higher levels of emotional stability and resilience tend to cope better with stress, leading to improved mental health outcomes (Roff et al., 2005). Understanding these personality traits can inform educators of the support needed for students with varying characteristics, enhancing their ability to succeed academically and professionally. Research also indicates a correlation between mental health and academic performance among healthcare students. Positive mental well-being not only fosters a conducive learning environment but also contributes to better patient care in the long run. When students feel mentally supported, they are more likely to engage meaningfully with their studies and develop the skills necessary for their future roles in healthcare (Dyrbye et al., 2006). Therefore, assessing mental well-being alongside personality traits can yield valuable insights into the holistic development of future healthcare professionals. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Study type The cross-sectional study was conducted among Health care students aged 18–25 years at A.C.S Medical College and Hospital. 2.2. Study population 2.2.1. Inclusion criteria • Students enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate programs. • Willingness to participate in the study. • Ability to comprehend and respond to the survey in the chosen language. Exclusion criteria: Individuals with a known clinical diagnosis of severe mental health disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder) that could confound results. Incomplete responses to validated scales 2.3. Sample size and population 5200 participants were included in the study according to inclusion criteria and duration of the study was 6 months 2.4. Ethical The study was approved by the institutional ethical committee, informed consent were obtained from all the participant (no.972/2023/IEC/ACSMCH Dt.17/04/2024) 3. Results 3.1. Section 1 distribution of demographic parameters, personality traits and Warwick Edinburgh mental well being Table 1 Age distribution AGE N=520 Distribution Frequency Percent 18-19 252 48.5 20-21 186 35.8 22-23 69 13.3 24-25 7 1.3 26-27 6 1.2 Total 520 100.0 World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 291 Figure 1 Age The frequency table reveals that the majority of individuals in the population are concentrated in the younger age groups. Specifically, 48.5% of the population falls into Age 18 to 19 years, while 35.8% is in Age 19 to 20 years, making up a combined 84.2% of the total. Age 21-22 years has a smaller portion of 13.3%, and Age 23 to 24 and Age 25 to 26 years have even fewer individuals, at 1.3% and 1.2%, respectively. This distribution shows a significant skew toward the younger ages, with only a minimal representation in the older categories. Table 2 gender distribution Gender n=520 Distribution Frequency Percent male 173 33.3 female 347 66.7 Total 520 100.0 Figure 2 Gender The given data represents the distribution of individuals based on gender. Out of the total population surveyed, 173 individuals, accounting for 33.3%, are male, while 347 individuals, making up 66.7%, are female. This indicates that females constitute a significantly larger proportion of the group compared to males, with their frequency being approximately twice that of males. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 292 Table 3 Mental well being scale interpretation Mental well being scale Frequency Percent Low mental being (>43) 265 51.0 Moderate mental well being (43-60) 239 46.0 High mental well being (<60) 16 3.1 Total 520 100.0 Figure 3 Mental well-being A majority of the respondents, 265 individuals (51.0%), fall into the low mental well-being category, indicating that more than half of the population experiences significant mental health challenges. The second-largest group consists of 239 individuals (46.0%) who report moderate mental well-being, suggesting that nearly half of the population experiences a balanced but potentially fluctuating mental state. Only a small fraction, 16 individuals (3.1%), report high mental well-being, highlighting that very few individuals experience consistently strong mental health. Table 4 Overall statistics distribution Statistics Extraversion Agreeableness Conscientiousness Neuroticism Openness To Experience N 520 520 520 520 520 Mean 2.88 3.35 3.05 3.08 3.20 Median 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 Mode 2 4 3 3 3 Std. Deviation 1.002 .930 .845 .862 .807 Minimum 1 0 1 1 1 World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 293 Table 5 Extraversion N=520 Extraversion Frequency Percent Reserved 158 30.4 Highly assertive 164 31.5 Ambiverted 198 38.1 Total 520 100.0 Figure 4 Extraversion Among the respondents, 198 individuals (38.1%) are ambiverted, indicating that they exhibit a balance between introversion and extraversion. This suggests that a significant portion of the population can adapt to both social and solitary environments. Meanwhile, 164 individuals (31.5%) fall into the highly assertive category, meaning they are confident, outgoing, and socially dominant. Lastly, the reserved category comprises 158 individuals (30.4%), indicating that they are more introverted and prefer less social interaction. Table 6 Agreeableness N=520 Agreeableness Frequency Percent Critical 38 7.3 Cooperative 257 49.4 Balanced 225 43.3 Total 520 100.0 World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 294 Figure 5 Agreeableness The largest group, consisting of 257 individuals (49.4%), falls under the cooperative category, indicating that nearly half of the respondents are empathetic, trusting, and inclined to work well with others. The balanced category follows closely, with 225 individuals (43.3%), suggesting that a significant portion of the population exhibits a mix of both cooperative and critical traits, adapting their behavior based on the situation. Only a small fraction, 38 individuals (7.3%), are categorized as critical, meaning they tend to be more skeptical, straightforward, and less inclined to compromise Table 7 conscientiousness Conscientiousness Frequency Percent Disorganized 60 11.5 Perfectionistic 169 32.5 Flexible 291 56.0 Total 520 100.0 Figure 6 Conscientiousness World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 295 The majority of respondents, 291 individuals (56.0%), fall into the flexible category, indicating that they demonstrate a balanced and adaptable approach to tasks, maintaining a sense of responsibility without being overly rigid. The secondlargest group, comprising 169 individuals (32.5%), is perfectionistic, meaning they have high standards, are detailoriented, and strive for excellence in their work. A smaller portion, 60 individuals (11.5%), are classified as disorganized, suggesting difficulties with structure, planning, and task management Table 8 Neuroticism N=520 Neuroticism Frequency Percent Emotionally Stable 71 13.7 Anxious 180 34.6 Manages Stress 269 51.7 Total 520 100.0 Figure 7 Neuroticism The majority, 269 individuals (51.7%), fall into the "manages stress" category, indicating that more than half of the respondents have developed coping mechanisms to handle stress and emotional challenges. The second-largest group, consisting of 180 individuals (34.6%), is categorized as anxious, suggesting that a significant portion of the population experiences heightened emotional sensitivity, stress, or worry. A smaller group of 71 individuals (13.7%) is classified as emotionally stable, meaning they exhibit resilience and minimal emotional fluctuations. Table 9 Openness to Experience Openness To Experience Frequency Percent Traditional 36 6.9 Innovative 191 36.7 Adaptive 293 56.3 Total 520 100.0 World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 296 Figure 8 openness to experience The majority of respondents, 293 individuals (56.3%), fall into the adaptive category, indicating that they are flexible and open to change while maintaining a balance between tradition and innovation. The second-largest group, consisting of 191 individuals (36.7%), is classified as innovative, suggesting that a significant portion of the population actively seeks new ideas, creativity, and unconventional approaches. A smaller group of 36 individuals (6.9%) is categorized as traditional, meaning they prefer familiar methods, stability, and adherence to established norms. 3.2. Section 2 association of personality traits with Warwick Edinburgh mental well being Table 10 Association of extraversion and Warwick Edinburgh mental well being Extraversion Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale Total Low Mental Well Being Moderate Well Being High Mental Well Being Reserved 75 75 8 158 Highly Assertive 82 76 6 164 Ambiverted 108 88 2 198 Total 265 239 16 520 Figure 9 association of extraversion and Warwick Edinburgh mental well being World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 297 N=520 the study explores the link between extraversion and mental well-being using a sample of 520 individuals. The distribution of well-being levels across reserved, highly assertive, and ambiverted individuals shows no significant pattern. The Chi-Square test result (p = 0.196) suggests no meaningful association between extraversion and mental well-being. Table 11 association of agreeableness and Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale Agreeableness Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale Total Low mental well being Moderate well being High mental well being Critical 15 21 2 38 Cooperative 129 118 10 257 Balanced 121 100 4 225 Total 265 239 16 520 Figure 10 Association of agreeableness and Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale The analysis examines the relationship between agreeableness and mental well-being among 520 individuals. The distribution shows that individuals classified as critical, cooperative, and balanced have varying levels of mental wellbeing. However, the Chi-Square test result (p = 0.491) indicates no statistically significant association between agreeableness and mental well-being. Table 12 Association of Conscientiousness and Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being N=520 Conscientiousness Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale Total Low mental well being Moderate well being High mental well being Disorganized 30 28 2 60 Perfectionistic 95 68 6 169 Flexible 140 143 8 291 Total 265 239 16 520 World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 304 Figure 20 Association of neuroticism to age distribution The analysis examines the relationship between neuroticism and age among 520 individuals. The distribution shows that most individuals fall into the "manages stress" category, followed by the anxious and emotionally stable groups. However, the Chi-Square test result (p = 0.123) indicates no statistically significant association between neuroticism and age Table 22 Association of neuroticism to distribution of gender N=520 Neuroticism Gender Total Male Female Emotionally stable 19 52 71 Anxious 64 116 180 Manages stress 90 179 269 Total 173 347 520 Figure 21 Association of neuroticism to distribution of gender World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 305 The analysis explores the relationship between neuroticism and gender among 520 individuals. The distribution shows that both males and females are mostly in the "manages stress" category, followed by the anxious and emotionally stable groups. However, the Chi-Square test result (p = 0.410) indicates no statistically significant association between neuroticism and gender. Table 23 Association of openness to experience to distribution of age N=520 Openness to experience Age Total 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-25 26-27 Traditional 19 10 7 0 0 36 Innovative 99 58 28 2 4 191 Adaptive 134 118 34 5 2 293 Total 252 186 69 7 6 520 Chi-Square Tests Value do Asp. Sig. (2-sided) Pearson Chi-Square 10.161a 8 0.254 Likelihood Ratio 10.815 8 0.212 N of Valid Cases 520 Figure 22 Association of openness to experience to distribution of age The analysis examines the relationship between openness to experience and age among 520 individuals. The distribution shows that most individuals are categorized as adaptive, followed by innovative and traditional. However, the Chi-Square test result (p = 0.254) indicates no statistically significant association between openness to experience and age. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 306 Table 24 Association of openness to experience to distribution of gender N=520 Openness to experience Gender Total Male Female Traditional 14 22 36 Innovative 69 122 191 Adaptive 90 203 293 Total 173 347 520 Figure 23 Association of openness to experience t distribution of gender The analysis examines the relationship between openness to experience and gender among 520 individuals. The distribution shows that both males and females are primarily adaptive, followed by innovative, with fewer individuals classified as traditional. However, the Chi-Square test result (p = 0.355) indicates no statistically significant association between openness to experience and gender. 3.4. Section 4 association of Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing with demographic parameters Table 25 Association of Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing and distribution of age N=520 Warwick Edinburgh mental well being Age Total 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-25 26-27 Low mental well being 134 96 29 3 3 265 Moderate well being 107 86 39 4 3 239 High mental well being 11 4 1 0 0 16 Total 252 186 69 7 6 520 World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 307 Figure 24 Association of Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing and distribution of age The analysis examines the relationship between age and mental well-being among 520 individuals. The distribution shows that most individuals fall into the low or moderate mental well-being categories, with very few in the high mental well-being group. However, the Chi-Square test result (p = 0.552) indicates no statistically significant association between age and mental well-being. Table 26 Association of Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale and distribution of gender Warwick Edinburgh mental well being Gender Total Male Female Low mental well being 80 185 265 Moderate well being 83 156 239 High mental well being 10 6 16 Total 173 347 520 Figure 25 Association of Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing scale and distribution of gender The analysis examines the relationship between gender and mental well-being among 520 individuals. The distribution shows that both males and females are primarily in the low and moderate mental well-being categories, with very few World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 308 in the high well-being group. The Chi-Square test result (p = 0.023) indicates a statistically significant association between gender and mental well-being. 4. Discussion The results indicate that the sample predominantly comprises younger individuals, with 84.2% falling between the ages of 18 and 21 years. This concentration in younger age groups aligns with previous studies that suggest young adults, particularly those in university settings, are more likely to participate in psychological and well-being research (Arnett, 2000). The skewed distribution toward younger age groups may also be attributed to the recruitment setting, likely an academic institution, where students within this age range form the majority (Twinge et al., 2008).The sample demonstrates a gender imbalance, with females (66.7%) significantly outnumbering males (33.3%). This gender disparity is common in psychological research, as women tend to participate in studies at higher rates than men (Underwood et al., 2000). Previous research suggests that women are generally more willing to engage in surveys, particularly those related to mental well-being and personality traits (Weisberg et al., 2011).The distribution of mental well-being levels reveals that 51% of respondents experience low mental well-being, 46% fall into the moderate category, and only 3.1% report high mental well-being. These findings are concerning and are consistent with existing literature indicating that young adults face heightened mental health challenges, particularly stress, anxiety, and depression (Hunt & Eisenberg, 2010). The low proportion of individuals with high well-being may reflect academic pressures, social stressors, and transitional life changes characteristic of young adulthood (Roberts & Walton, 2022).The data on personality traits indicate a diverse distribution across extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience: Extraversion: The prevalence of ambiverted individuals (38.1%) aligns with research suggesting that many individuals exhibit both introverted and extraverted tendencies (Grant et al., 2011). The balance between reserved (30.4%) and highly assertive (31.5%) respondents suggests no overwhelming dominance of one extreme.Agreeableness: The majority (49.4%) identify as cooperative, supporting findings that agreeableness is a prevalent trait in social and academic settings (Graziano & Tobin, 2009).Conscientiousness: A significant portion (56%) is categorized as flexible, which suggests a balanced approach to responsibility and adaptability. High conscientiousness has been linked to academic and professional success (Roberts et al., 2007).Neuroticism: The distribution of neuroticism levels indicates that while a majority (51.7%) manage stress effectively, a significant proportion (34.6%) report high anxiety, consistent with studies linking neuroticism to mental health challenges (Lahey, 2009).Openness to Experience: Most respondents (56.3%) are adaptive, with a preference for flexibility and moderate openness, aligning with literature emphasizing the benefits of adaptability in contemporary environments (McCrae & Costa, 1997).The chi-square test results indicate no statistically significant associations between personality traits and mental well-being across extraversion (p = 0.196), agreeableness (p = 0.491), conscientiousness (p = 0.481), neuroticism (p = 0.564), and openness to experience (p = 0.574). This finding contrasts with prior studies suggesting that high extraversion and conscientiousness correlate with better mental well-being, while neuroticism is typically linked to poorer well-being (Steel et al., 2008). The lack of significant associations may be attributed to the relatively homogeneous age distribution or potential external factors influencing mental well-being beyond personality traits, such as environmental stressors, social support, or coping mechanisms (Keyes et al., 2010). Extraversion and Age/Gender: No significant association was found between extraversion and age (p = 0.205) or gender (p = 0.112). Previous literature suggests extraversion varies across developmental stages (Soto et al., 2011), yet the lack of significance may indicate a stable distribution within the studied age range.Agreeableness and Age/Gender: The findings show no significant association between agreeableness and age (p = 0.834) or gender (p = 0.281). Research suggests that while agreeableness increases with age (Soto et al., 2011), the narrow age range in this study may explain the non-significant results.Conscientiousness and Age/Gender: The absence of significant associations with age (p = 0.268) and gender (p = 0.466) aligns with studies indicating conscientiousness develops over time and is influenced by external responsibilities (Roberts et al., 2007).Neuroticism and Age: The non-significant relationship (p = 0.205) contrasts with literature suggesting that neuroticism typically declines with age (McCrae et al., 1999). 5. Conclusion The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the distribution of demographic parameters, personality traits, and mental well-being among the surveyed population. The demographic analysis reveals that the majority of the respondents are young adults aged 18-21 years, with a predominance of female participants. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale results indicate that over half of the respondents experience low mental well-being, while only a small fraction report high mental well-being. The analysis of personality traits highlights that most individuals tend to be ambiverted, cooperative, flexible, and capable of managing stress. Additionally, the majority of respondents exhibit an adaptive approach to openness to experience. These findings suggest a diverse range of personality characteristics within the study population. The examination of associations between personality traits and mental well-being does not World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(01), 289-309 309 show statistically significant relationships, indicating that personality traits alone may not be strong predictors of mental well-being in this sample. Similarly, the analysis of associations between personality traits and demographic parameters such as age and gender also fail to yield significant correlations. These results suggest that additional factors beyond personality and demographic characteristics may contribute to variations in mental well-being.While this study provides important insights, future research could explore additional psychological, environmental, and social variables that may influence mental well-being. A larger and more diverse sample could also provide a broader understanding of these relationships. Overall, the study underscores the importance of a holistic approach to mental health assessment, considering multiple factors beyond personality traits and demographics. Compliance with ethical standards Disclosure of conflict of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Statement of informed consent Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. 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