Hospital Practices and Research

The Relationship between Personality Traits and State-Trait Anxiety among Students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hasan Jafari 1
Mohammad Kazem Rahimi 1
Maryam Zare Zardini 2
Elham Khaledi 3

1 Health Policy and Management Research Center, Department of Health Management & Economics, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

2 Health Care Management, Department of Health Management & Economics, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

3 Student Research Committee, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

10.30491/hpr.2026.592381.1546
Abstract
Background: Personality traits, defined as an organized set of relatively stable and enduring characteristics that distinguish one individual from others, can influence anxiety levels.
Objectives: Given the role and importance of personality traits and anxiety among students, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between personality traits and state-trait anxiety in students at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd City, Iran.
Methods: This study employed a correlational, cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of 389 students selected through proportional stratified sampling from various faculties. Data were collected using two standard questionnaires. To assess participants' personality profiles, the Bass Questionnaire was utilized, which measures dimensions such as fair-mindedness, bravery, and introversion. Anxiety levels were evaluated using the STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), encompassing both state and trait anxiety subscales. Data analysis was performed using SPSS26, utilizing descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation). To examine the relationships between personality dimensions and anxiety levels, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was employed, as the data did not meet the assumptions of normality.
Results: The mean scores for personality traits and state-trait anxiety were 74.67 ± 11.13 and 113.74 ± 11.61, respectively. A significant correlation was observed only between the overall mean score of personality traits and gender (P = 0.021) and marital status (P = 0.019). Students' personality traits leaned more towards being conscientious, exhibiting fairness, and a tendency to respect the rights of others. Trait anxiety was more evident than state anxiety among students. Regarding state and trait anxiety, the mean scores indicated moderate to high levels of both manifested and hidden anxiety. In general, a significant negative relationship was observed between state-trait anxiety and personality traits (r = −0.158, P = 0.002).
Conclusion: Personality traits can play a significant role in the onset and severity of anxiety in students. Therefore, identifying the personality type of each student using personality typing tests, which can determine the appropriate type of counseling for that individual, followed by organizing specialized counseling sessions for vulnerable personality types, is considered an important step.

Keywords

State Anxiety
Trait Anxiety
Personality Trait
Medical Sciences Students
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Hospital Practices and Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 30 September 2026

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