Development and validation of the medical students’ self-reported selfishness questionnaire (MSSSQ): a context-specific design for assessing selfish tendencies in medical education
Abstract Background Selfishness, defined as the prioritization of one’s own interests at the expense of others, can significantly influence the career choices and professional behavior of medical students. Understanding the levels of selfish tendency and preemptively detecting possible manifestation...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07111-z |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Selfishness, defined as the prioritization of one’s own interests at the expense of others, can significantly influence the career choices and professional behavior of medical students. Understanding the levels of selfish tendency and preemptively detecting possible manifestations of selfish intents among medical students is essential for developing educational strategies that foster ethical and responsible conduct within the medical profession. This study aimed to develop and validate the Medical Students’ Self-Reported Selfishness Questionnaire (MSSSQ), specifically designed to assess selfish tendencies amongst medical students. Methods Two studies were conducted to develop and validate the MSSSQ. Study 1 involved developing the initial MSSSQ items pool. Study 2 focused on developing and validating the factor structure of the MSSSQ. Additionally, the reliability (including Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and test–retest reliability), measurement invariance, as well as the convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity of the MSSSQ were evaluated. Results Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, a 6-item, single-factor structure for the MSSSQ was established. The MSSSQ demonstrated strong internal consistencies (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.80), convergent validity (r = −.23 −.61), discriminant validity (r = −.28 −.34), criterion-related validity (r = −.27 −.47), and test-retest reliability(r =.65). Measurement invariance was confirmed across gender, locality, only child status, and college year distribution. Conclusions The MSSSQ can be utilized to identify medical students at risk of developing unethical behaviors, inform educational interventions, and contribute to the broader understanding of how medical training influences selfish tendencies. Ultimately, the MSSSQ represents a promising tool for enhancing the quality of medical education and promoting the development of professional values and ethical sensibilities among medical students. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
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| ISSN: | 1472-6920 |