Personality Profiles and Susceptibility to Digital Addiction

Introduction Individual personality profiles may predispose residents to problematic smartphone and social media use. This study examined associations between Big Five personality traits and digital addiction. Objectives To examine the associations between Big Five personality traits and susceptibility to smartphone and social media addiction in medical residents. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of 429 Tunisian medical residents was conducted. Personality was assessed using the BFI-20, smartphone addiction via the SAS-SV, and social media addiction with the BSMAS. Bivariate analyses compared trait scores between addicts and non-addicts. Results Residents addicted to smartphones had significantly lower conscientiousness (2.98 ± 0.64 vs. 3.34 ± 0.60, p<0.001) and neuroticism (2.67 ± 0.51 vs. 2.88 ± 0.54, p<0.001). Similar patterns were observed for social media addiction, with lower conscientiousness (2.76 ± 0.62 vs. 3.30 ± 0.59, p<0.001) and neuroticism (2.56 ± 0.54 vs. 2.85 ± 0.51, p<0.001). Extraversion, openness, and agreeableness showed no consistent associations. Conclusions Low conscientiousness and emotional stability appear to increase susceptibility to digital addiction among residents. These findings emphasize the need to consider personality-driven vulnerabilities when designing preventive and support interventions for young physicians. Disclosure of Interest None Declared