Links between medical interns’ perceived stress, workaholism and personality: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Medical interns’ work conditions and individual features make them vulnerable to stress and deterioration in their physical and mental health. Moreover, these factors are associated with a pathological relationship with work, workaholism. Few studies have focused on this populati...

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Main Authors: Mathilde Chaillet, Joana Pissarra, Lionel Moulis, François-Xavier Lesage, Cédric Julien
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06914-4
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author Mathilde Chaillet
Joana Pissarra
Lionel Moulis
François-Xavier Lesage
Cédric Julien
author_facet Mathilde Chaillet
Joana Pissarra
Lionel Moulis
François-Xavier Lesage
Cédric Julien
author_sort Mathilde Chaillet
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Medical interns’ work conditions and individual features make them vulnerable to stress and deterioration in their physical and mental health. Moreover, these factors are associated with a pathological relationship with work, workaholism. Few studies have focused on this population, and its exposure to psychosocial risks and related consequences. We evaluated the perceived stress of medical interns with regard to their personality and the risk of workaholism. Methods This cross-sectional observational study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire, anonymously, assessing perceived stress (PSS-10), personality (BFI-10) and the risk of workaholism (DUWAS-10). Results 358 medical interns were included in the study. We found that perceived stress was positively associated with neuroticism and the risk of workaholism and, on the other hand, negatively associated with a conscientious personality. The risk of workaholism increased with perceived stress, number of weekly work hours and conscientiousness trait. Having time for leisure was associated with a reduction in both perceived stress and the risk of workaholism. Conclusions Among medical interns, our results further supported that perceived stress, risk of workaholism and personality are intertwined. A better understanding of these mechanisms will contribute to the identification of the most vulnerable interns, to the improvement of targeted screening and prevention tools of psychosocial risks, usable during occupational medicine consultations. Clinical trial number Not applicable.
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spelling doaj-art-2bcd21d97d4a4b38912eff85f689456b2025-08-20T02:56:20ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-03-0125111010.1186/s12909-025-06914-4Links between medical interns’ perceived stress, workaholism and personality: a cross-sectional studyMathilde Chaillet0Joana Pissarra1Lionel Moulis2François-Xavier Lesage3Cédric Julien4Department of Occupational Health, CHU MontpellierClinical Research and Epidemiology Unit, CHU Montpellier, Univ MontpellierClinical Research and Epidemiology Unit, CHU Montpellier, Univ MontpellierIDESP, INSERM, Univ Montpellier, CHU MontpellierDepartment of Occupational Health, CHU MontpellierAbstract Background Medical interns’ work conditions and individual features make them vulnerable to stress and deterioration in their physical and mental health. Moreover, these factors are associated with a pathological relationship with work, workaholism. Few studies have focused on this population, and its exposure to psychosocial risks and related consequences. We evaluated the perceived stress of medical interns with regard to their personality and the risk of workaholism. Methods This cross-sectional observational study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire, anonymously, assessing perceived stress (PSS-10), personality (BFI-10) and the risk of workaholism (DUWAS-10). Results 358 medical interns were included in the study. We found that perceived stress was positively associated with neuroticism and the risk of workaholism and, on the other hand, negatively associated with a conscientious personality. The risk of workaholism increased with perceived stress, number of weekly work hours and conscientiousness trait. Having time for leisure was associated with a reduction in both perceived stress and the risk of workaholism. Conclusions Among medical interns, our results further supported that perceived stress, risk of workaholism and personality are intertwined. A better understanding of these mechanisms will contribute to the identification of the most vulnerable interns, to the improvement of targeted screening and prevention tools of psychosocial risks, usable during occupational medicine consultations. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06914-4WorkaholismMental healthStress, psychologicalSurveys and questionnairesLeisure activities
spellingShingle Mathilde Chaillet
Joana Pissarra
Lionel Moulis
François-Xavier Lesage
Cédric Julien
Links between medical interns’ perceived stress, workaholism and personality: a cross-sectional study
BMC Medical Education
Workaholism
Mental health
Stress, psychological
Surveys and questionnaires
Leisure activities
title Links between medical interns’ perceived stress, workaholism and personality: a cross-sectional study
title_full Links between medical interns’ perceived stress, workaholism and personality: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Links between medical interns’ perceived stress, workaholism and personality: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Links between medical interns’ perceived stress, workaholism and personality: a cross-sectional study
title_short Links between medical interns’ perceived stress, workaholism and personality: a cross-sectional study
title_sort links between medical interns perceived stress workaholism and personality a cross sectional study
topic Workaholism
Mental health
Stress, psychological
Surveys and questionnaires
Leisure activities
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06914-4
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