Personality Perspective on Moral Injury Among Chinese Healthcare Workers: A Network Analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Occupational Health
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Moral injury (MI) is prevalent among healthcare workers, with significant negative outcomes.
• Understanding the mechanisms of MI, particularly the role of personality traits, is crucial.
• Empirical evidence linking personality traits to MI remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between Big Five (BF), Light Triad (LT), and Dark Triad (DT) personality traits and moral injury (MI) symptoms in healthcare professionals.
• To identify specific personality traits that act as risk or protective factors for MI.

Main Methods:

• Network analysis was used to construct a BF-LT-DT-MI network.
• 439 physicians and 562 nurses in southern China participated.
• Bridge Expected Influence (BEI) was computed to assess trait-to-symptom connections.

Main Results:

• Specific trait-to-symptom connections were identified (e.g., Neuroticism-Loss of meaning, Machiavellianism-Self-condemnation).
• Neuroticism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy showed the highest positive Bridge Expected Influence (BEI) towards MI symptoms.
• Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Faith in Humanity demonstrated the highest negative BEI, suggesting protective roles.

Conclusions:

• Personality traits play a significant role in the development of moral injury among healthcare workers.
• Findings offer empirical targets for early screening, prevention, and intervention strategies for MI in healthcare settings.
• The study highlights the interplay between personality and psychological distress in a high-stress occupational group.