Relationship Between Personality Traits and Career Decision-making Using MBTI Approach Among Interns in a Private Medical College in Coimbatore, India

Sep 17, 2026

Personality refers to enduring adjustment characteristics and behaviors, while the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) measures personality preferences through a self-report inventory. A descriptive questionnaire study assessed personality patterns among 24 medical interns from a private medical college in Coimbatore, using a free online MBTI and an interactive lecture. Results identified ENFP, INFJ, and ISFJ as common types, with most interns rating the assigned type as accurate and reporting limited desire to change career decisions. Overall, MBTI may support self-awareness and career decision-making.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Study design and setting

Results

Conclusion

Relationship Between Personality Traits and Career Decision-making Using Mbti Approach Among Interns in a Private Medical College in Coimbatore, India suganathan Soundararajan soundararajan PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Dr. G. M. Muhammad G. M PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Sandhiya Venkatesan V PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Article Keywords: Personality, Interns, Personality traits, MBTI Posted Date: April 21st, 2026 DOI: [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9474177/v1](https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9474177/v1) License: 􀁱 􀅏 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Read Full License Additional Declarations: No competing interests reported. Abstract Introduction: Personality refers to the enduring characteristics and behaviors that comprise a person’s unique adjustment to life. The Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a self-report inventory used to assess personality preferences. Being aware of personality type allows one to deliberately engage in decisionmaking. Aim The aim of the present study was to assess the patterns of personality traits among interns using online MBTI tools and to obtain their opinions on their own personality traits and career decision making. Methodology: A questionnaire study was conducted among 24 medical interns posted in primary healthcare centers selected by purposive sampling. Personality patterns were assessed using a free online MBTI. Subsequently, 16 personality patterns were explained to them through an interactive lecture. A Google form was then circulated to assess their perception and attitude toward changing their career decisionmaking. SPSS version 28.0 was used to obtain descriptive data. Results Among the 24 interns, the most common personality patterns reported were (ENFP) (29 .2%) Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Perceiving,(INFJ) (12 . 5%) Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging and (ISFJ)(12 . 5%) Introverted, Sensing, Feeling and Judging. Majority of the participants (63%) found the assigned personality types to be accurate; however, 38% wanted to change it. Judging, introvert and extrovert traits were found to be the most challenging to get along with, while the comfortable traits were extrovert and perceiving types. Only four participants wished to change their careers after knowing their personalities. Conclusion Most common personality pattern is ENFP, INFJ and ISFJ. Majority felt happy with their personality and only 16% wish to change their career decision making. MBTI can be a useful tool for interns to know themselves, understand others and career decision making. INTRODUCTION Personality is a variable that correlates with specialty selection and practice type among medical professionals at all levels. Personality refers to the enduring characteristics and behavior that comprise a person’s unique adjustment to life. ( 1) Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a self-report inventory that is used to assess personality preferences and helps career decision making. (2) Medical interns face challenges in their team work and have diﬃculty in deciding their career progression MBTI tool is helpful to understand themselves and others in their workplace for effective teamwork, services and to decide their career matching their personality This career decision-making process is ongoing throughout their professional life and as their career progresses, they may ﬁnd using this process again (3) . This psychometric test was created in the 1940s by Isabel Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs based on Jung’s idea of different psychological types. It takes 15 to 25 minutes to complete the 93 questions on the current version of the MBTI form. The results of this tool are presented through four dichotomies: Extraversion (E) vs Introversion (I), Sensing (S) vs Intuition (I), thinking (T) vs Feeling (F) and Judging (J) vs Perceivi

FAQs

What study aim is addressed regarding MBTI and interns?

The study evaluates personality-trait patterns among interns using an online MBTI tool and collects interns’ opinions about how their personality relates to career decision-making.

How was personality data collected and analyzed?

A questionnaire study involved 24 medical interns selected through purposive sampling. Personality patterns were assessed using a free online MBTI, followed by explanation of 16 patterns through an interactive lecture, with perceptions measured via a Google form. Descriptive data were analyzed using SPSS version 28.0.

Which MBTI personality types were most common and how did interns respond?

The most common patterns reported were ENFP (29.2%), INFJ (12.5%), and ISFJ (12.5%). Most participants (63%) found their assigned types accurate, while 38% wanted changes, and only four participants wished to change careers.

Sep 17, 2026

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