A Network Analysis Bridging the Gap Between the Big Five Personality Traits and Burnout Among Medical Staff

Abstract

Abstract Background Burnout is a common issue among medical professionals, and one of the well-studied predisposing factors is the Big Five personality traits. However, no studies have explored the relationships between these traits and burnout from a trait-to-component perspective. To understand the specific connections between each Big Five trait and burnout components, as well as the bridging effects of each trait on burnout, we employed network analysis. Methods A cluster sampling method was used to select a total of 420 Chinese medical personnel. The 15-item Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory-15 (CBF-PI-15) assessed the Big Five personality traits, while the 15-item Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) assessed the effects of these traits on burnout. The calculated model used a regularized graphical Gaussian model, and each node in the final network represented the expected influence from the bridge. Results The study revealed distinct and clear relationships between the Big Five personality traits and burnout aspects. For instance, Neuroticism was related to doubt and worth, while Extraversion was related to doubt. Among the Big Five traits, Neuroticism displayed the highest positive bridge centrality, while Conscientiousness displayed the highest negative bridge centrality. Conclusions The network model provides a means to investigate the connections between the Big Five personality traits and burnout elements among medical professionals. This study offers new avenues for thought and potential targets for burnout treatment in medical personnel, which can be further explored and tested in clinical settings.