Volume 36, Issue 256 (4-2026)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026, 36(256): 65-75 |
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Sani Khatam Z, Tabarestani A, Pourasghar M, Hoshiari N, Hossein Netaj A, Ebrahimi Saravi M et al . Association Between Personality Traits, Self-Esteem, and Academic Performance Among Dental Students in Endodontics: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026; 36 (256) :65-75
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22214-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22214-en.html
Zahra Sani Khatam 
, Amirreza Tabarestani , Mehdi Pourasghar , Narjes Hoshiari , Abulfazl Hossein Netaj , Mohammad Ebrahimi Saravi , Alireza Sedighi
, Amirreza Tabarestani , Mehdi Pourasghar , Narjes Hoshiari , Abulfazl Hossein Netaj , Mohammad Ebrahimi Saravi , Alireza Sedighi
Abstract: (233 Views)
Background and purpose: Choosing a field of study is a critical decision that can influence both academic achievement and subsequent professional satisfaction. Success in dental education is shaped by both cognitive and non-cognitive factors, including personality traits and self-esteem. However, evidence remains limited regarding the combined influence of these factors on both academic and clinical performance among dental students. This study aimed to evaluate the association between personality traits and self-esteem and academic and clinical performance among fifth- and sixth-year dental students in the Department of Endodontics at the School of Dentistry in Sari.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 78 dental students. Personality traits were assessed using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and self-esteem was measured using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI). Student performance was evaluated in both theoretical and practical domains, alongside interest in the specialty, technical ability, and professional behaviour. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and correlation analyses, with statistical significance set at P< 0.05.
Results: Of the 78 participants, 53.8% were 2019 entrants, and 51.2% expressed an interest in endodontics. The most prominent personality traits were conscientiousness and openness to experience. Overall, most personality dimensions showed no statistically significant association with academic or clinical performance. However, a negative correlation was observed between extraversion and agreeableness and both theoretical and practical performance scores in certain subgroups. Regarding self-esteem, only the academic self-esteem subscale demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation with practical performance (r = 0.32, P= 0.003). Other self-esteem domains showed no significant associations with interest in the specialty, technical ability, or professional behaviour.
Conclusion: Personality traits and self-esteem demonstrate differential and domain-specific associations with dental students' performance. Specifically, higher levels of extraversion and agreeableness may be associated with lower performance in certain educational domains, whereas academic self-esteem appears to be a positive predictor of practical performance. These findings underscore the importance of integrating psychological profiling into dental education strategies to support both academic development and clinical competence.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 78 dental students. Personality traits were assessed using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and self-esteem was measured using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI). Student performance was evaluated in both theoretical and practical domains, alongside interest in the specialty, technical ability, and professional behaviour. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and correlation analyses, with statistical significance set at P< 0.05.
Results: Of the 78 participants, 53.8% were 2019 entrants, and 51.2% expressed an interest in endodontics. The most prominent personality traits were conscientiousness and openness to experience. Overall, most personality dimensions showed no statistically significant association with academic or clinical performance. However, a negative correlation was observed between extraversion and agreeableness and both theoretical and practical performance scores in certain subgroups. Regarding self-esteem, only the academic self-esteem subscale demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation with practical performance (r = 0.32, P= 0.003). Other self-esteem domains showed no significant associations with interest in the specialty, technical ability, or professional behaviour.
Conclusion: Personality traits and self-esteem demonstrate differential and domain-specific associations with dental students' performance. Specifically, higher levels of extraversion and agreeableness may be associated with lower performance in certain educational domains, whereas academic self-esteem appears to be a positive predictor of practical performance. These findings underscore the importance of integrating psychological profiling into dental education strategies to support both academic development and clinical competence.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
Dentistry
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