Medical specialty choice and well-being at work: Physician's personality as a moderator. Issue 3 (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mullola, Sari; Hakulinen, Christian; Gimeno Ruiz de Porras, David; Presseau, Justin; Jokela, Markus; Vänskä, Jukka; Paunio, Tiina; Elovainio, Marko
• Is Part Of: Archives of environmental & occupational health. Volume 74:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 115
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: medical specialty -- well-being at work -- personality traits -- psychological distress -- work ability; Medicine, Preventive -- Periodicals; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational diseases -- Periodicals; Environmental Health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2018.1448355
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-8244

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We examined whether physicians' personality traits moderate the association between medical specialty and well-being at work. Nationally representative sample of Finnish physicians ( n = 2, 815; 65% women; aged 25–72 years in 2015) was used. Personality was assessed with the shortened Big Five Inventory. Indicators of well-being at work were measured with scales from Work Ability Index, General Health Questionnaire, Jenkins' Sleep Problems Scale and Suicidal Ideation. Higher extraversion, openness to experience and agreeableness showed as personality traits beneficial for higher well-being at work among person-oriented specialties whereas higher conscientiousness but lower openness and agreeableness showed as personality traits beneficial for higher well-being at work among technique-oriented specialties. The role of neuroticism remains minor in general. Physicians' personality traits may moderate the association between medical specialty and well-being at work.