Predicting mental health based on personality traits in Iranian nurses working in psychiatric wards: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aimed to predict mental health based on personality traits among nurses in psychiatric wards. This cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 110 nurses working in psychiatric wards at centers affiliated with Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Short Symptom Checklist (SCL-25). The overall regression model explained 62.6% of the variance in mental health scores among nurses working in psychiatric wards (R=0.791, R²=0.626). Neuroticism was a significant positive predictor of mental health score (B=0.659, β=0.404, P<0.001), indicating that higher neuroticism was associated with higher mental health scores. In contrast, extraversion was a significant negative predictor (B=−0.871, β=−0.467, P=0.021), and conscientiousness also showed a significant negative association with mental health score (B=−0.522, β=−0.251, P=0.040). Openness to experience and agreeableness were not significantly associated with mental health score (P>0.05). Overall, neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness were significant predictors of mental health among psychiatric ward nurses. These findings emphasize that nurses' personalities play an important role in predicting occupational stress, and there is a bidirectional interaction between personality traits and mental health; stable levels of psychological distress can influence the developmental trajectory of personality. From a practical perspective, screening for personality traits and implementing preventive interventions to strengthen protective traits such as extraversion and conscientiousness, along with training in coping skills and resilience, can help prevent psychological harm and occupational performance decline among nurses.