The Relationship between Personality Traits and Problem-Solving Strategies among Undergraduate Nursing Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Psychological and personality traits are among the most important factors greatly affecting people’s problem-solving strategies. This study aimed to determine the relationship between personality traits and problem-solving strategies among undergraduate nursing students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive-correlational research was performed on all 380 undergraduate nursing students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2013-14 academic years. 191 of whom were selected as the sample. Research tools were Neo McCrae and Costa’s questionnaires and Cassidy and Long’s problem-solving strategies questionnaire. Data were analyzed using of Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression. Results: Findings showed that there was a significant correlation between neuroticism (r=-0.242, P=0.013) and conscientiousness (r=0.474, P=0.001) and constructive style of problem-solving and conscientiousness was the best predictor of constructive style of problem-solving. There was also a reverse significant correlation between non-constructive style of problem-solving and the dimensions of extraversion (r=-0.201, P=0.001), agreeableness (r=-0.452, P=0.001) and being conscientiousness (r=-0.416, P=0.001). A direct correlation was found between neuroticism and non-constructive style of problem-solving (r= 0.429, P=0.001) and agreeableness, conscientiousness and neuroticism were the best predictors of non-constructive style of problem-solving. Conclusion: Taking into account the significant relationship between students’ personality traits and problem-solving strategies, it suggested that universities focus on students’ personality traits in order to be able to teach them problem-solving strategies.