• Kwi Hwa Park, Sun Ju Im, Sun Young Kyung, and So Jung Yune.
• Kwi Hwa Park, Department of Medical Education, Gachon University College of Medicine Incheon, Rep. of Korea.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2023 Jan 1; 39 (1): 283328-33.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify profile groups based on personality traits and coping strategies exhibited by medical students in the context of COVID-19.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey and latent profile analysis to investigate differences in stressors, psychological distress, and stress levels with academic variables. We collected data online (Google survey form) in November and December 2021. The participants included a total of 260 1st and 2nd year medical students, all completed questionnaires containing the following sections: Big Five Inventory, coping strategies, COVID-19 stressors, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and stress level with academic variables. For analysis, a latent profile analysis, ANOVA, and χ2 were used.ResultsThe results reveal the three following profile groups: adaptive (lowest neuroticism, low mental disengagement), middle-adaptive (moderate neuroticism, low mental disengagement), and maladaptive (highest neuroticism and mental disengagement), respectively comprising 25.0%, 39.2%, and 35.8% of the study sample. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences regarding grade (χ2=3.345, p=0.188) or gender (χ2=1.197, p=0.550). The maladaptive group was strongly associated with perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001).ConclusionThese findings highlight the value of considering profile groups when determining whether students require additional support during pandemics.Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

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