| Introduction and Background: In Pakistan,the private and public medical colleges differ significantly in terms of resources,faculty composition,infrastructure,and academic culture,merit and cultural differences of the country are prominent.Burnout significantly contributes to psychological distress in medical students in both college settings.This study emphasizes the role of personality traits,particularly neuroticism,in influencing individuals’ responses to stress.The Big Five Factor Model of personality(neuroticism,extraversion,openness,agreeableness,conscientiousness)serves as a framework to comprehend variations in psychological well-being among students in public and private college circumstances.Self-compassion emerges as a key predictor of psychological health,influencing emotional reactions,cognitive responses,and protection from adverse experiences.It underscores the positive impact of self-compassion on both academic success and mental well-being.Furthermore,the study examines the challenges faced by medical students in Pakistan,where societal expectations,cultural norms,and socioeconomic pressures may intensify stress and burnout.Gender norms and financial security create distinct experiences for students.The study also emphasizes the expectations of teachers about student’s learnings environment and well-beings by considering the teaching methods,shift towards experiential learning,and the cultivation of critical thinking and problem-solving skills are noted as essential aspects of medical education.This study advances our comprehension of the intricate interplay between personality traits,burnout,self-compassion,to impact psychological distress among medical students,particularly within the public and private of Pakistani medical education.Objectives: The study explores the relationship between personality traits,burnout,selfcompassion,and psychological distress among medical students using Structural Equation Modeling.It studies the mediations effects of burnout and the moderating role of selfcompassion in mitigating burnout’s effects.The study revealed the societal factors affecting medical students in Pakistani colleges,including gender,age,marital status,parental status,and socio-economic status.It aims to understand how these factors impact mental well-being,stress levels enabling early intervention and preventive measures for psychological distress and burnout.The study aims to explore the impact of non-cognitive variables,such as personality traits,mental agility,compassion,self-efficacy,and coping mechanisms,on the academic performance of medical students as perceived by teachers.It also seeks to assess teachers’ perspectives on academic pressures as a potential contributor to poor mental health among students,as well as their role in addressing mental health issues and providing support to medical students.Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of undergraduate medical students in Pakistan’s public and private medical schools was conducted.The sample size was 200 respondents as per G*power sample size analysis,and data was collected from registered medical colleges across four provinces.In total 1500 questionnaires were distributed in public colleges and 1200 in private colleges,resulting in 1319 usable questionnaires from public colleges and 995 from private colleges.The survey assessed personality traits,psychological distress,burnout,and selfcompassion using the Big Five Inventory,GHQ-12,MBI-SS,and the Self-Compassion Scale.The study employs Structural Equation Modeling(SEM)to explore these intricate associations.The mediations effects of burnout between personality traits and psychological distress were accessed and further,the potential moderating role of self-compassion on psychological distress is studied.Through logistic regression analysis,it identified significant predictors for social factors,highlighting the importance of understanding these social factors in mental health.The study delved into teachers’ perspectives on students’ qualities promoting academic success in Pakistani medical colleges.Thirty faculty members participated in individual interviews,aiming to gather experiences and insights.Data analysis used the Modified Grounded Theory Approach(M-GTA),identifying themes through line-by-line coding and constant comparisons.Thematic saturation was achieved,enhancing the study’s validity through investigator triangulation and participant validation.Results: The study analyzed the relationship between personality traits,burnout dimensions,self-compassion,and psychological distress among medical college students.The sample consisted of both male and female students,with a split between those under and above 20 years of age.The measurement model evaluation showed strong reliability and validity,with all latent variables showing factor loadings above the threshold.The structural model evaluation revealed significant relationships between the variables.For private medical college students,certain personality traits,such as Agreeableness,Extraversion,and Neuroticism,were positively linked to Psychological Distress(Psy D),while others,like Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience,had negative relationships.Burnout dimensions,such as Emotional Exhaustion,Cynicism,and Academic Efficacy,also significantly influenced Psy D.Self-compassion played a significant role in the relationship between personality traits and Psy D.The study revealed intricate relationships between personality traits,burnout dimensions,self-compassion,and psychological distress among medical college students,with variations between private and public institutions.The study explored the moderated-mediation effects where self-compassion played a pivotal role in mediating the relationships between personality traits,burnout,and psychological distress for Emotional Exhaustion and Academic Efficacy.The findings highlighted that self-compassion moderated the associations between certain personality traits and burnout dimensions,particularly in private and public students.The study highlights the influence of various factors on the mental well-being of medical students,including gender,age,academic years,provinces(cultural),socio-economic conditions,and sports engagement.It also highlights the role of provincial culture in causing burnout,with cultural differences causing varying stressors across regions.The research underscores the need for personalized interventions considering individual traits,cultural backgrounds,and the evolving dynamics of medical education.The study explores the impact of medical education on student well-being and suggests various strategies to improve student outcomes.It advocates for co-curricular activities to enhance skills and teamwork and suggests curriculum adjustments and stress management training to tackle academic challenges.It emphasizes the importance of teacher training in managing students’ mental health disorders and proposes a mental-health competency curriculum framework.The study also highlights the impact of role modeling on students’ professional identity and calls for reforms in the medical education system.Teachers recommend a shift from traditional methods,seminars for research skills enhancement,and emotional wellbeing monitoring.Conclusions: The study found a strong correlation between personality traits and burnout symptoms in medical students,particularly in stressful situations and there are differences in private and public medical college student’s responses and the influence of cultural differences are prominent.Agreeableness negatively correlated with emotional exhaustion in private students,while conscientiousness correlated oppositely.Extraversion and cynicism were linked to exhaustion and cynicism in both groups.Neuroticism and openness were linked to exhaustion and cynicism.Burnout mediated the relationship between traits and distress,emphasizing the role of academic self-efficacy.The study provides comprehensive insights into the complex interplay of societal factors influencing medical students in Pakistani public and private medical colleges.By unraveling these connections,the research underscores the need for tailored interventions and support systems that address these multifaceted societal influences,ultimately fostering a conducive environment for students’ resilience,self-compassion,and overall wellbeing.The study emphasized the role of extracurricular activities,academic challenges,teacher training,role modeling,and reforms in medical education.It accentuates the importance of holistic support for students,including academic and emotional well-being,and the role of educators.The study also highlights the benefits of fostering a culture of self-compassion among students to improve their professional quality of life.It acknowledges the limitations of qualitative research methodologies and the challenges of navigating the complex landscape of medical education.However,the study’s warrant further research with diverse methods. |
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