Evidence of validity of the 10-item Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) in Peruvian medical students

Authors

  • Javier A. Flores-Cohaila Escuela de Postgrado, Universidad Continental, Huancayo, Peru. Hospital Víctor Larco Herrera, Magdalena, Lima, Peru.
  • Brayan Miranda-Chavez CHANGE Research Working Group, Carrera de Medicina Humana, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru. Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, EsSalud, Lima, Peru.
  • Jeff Huarcaya-Victoria Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Filial Ica, Peru.
  • Cesar Copaja-Corzo Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.
  • Sebastian Y. Montesinos CHANGE Research Working Group, Carrera de Medicina Humana, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru.
  • Cielo A. Estela-Fernandez CHANGE Research Working Group, Carrera de Medicina Humana, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24016/2026.v12.542

Keywords:

Big Five Inventory; Personality; Psychometric validation; Medical students; Peru; Medical education

Abstract

Introduction: The Big Five model is the most widely accepted theoretical framework for assessing personality traits, with applications in medical education, such as to predict academic performance, burnout, and student well-being. The BFI-10 is an ultra-short 10-item version designed for time-constrained contexts, although it lacks validation in Latin American medical students.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the evidence of validity of the BFI-10 in Peruvian medical students.

Method: A cross-sectional psychometric validation study was conducted during the 2024 academic year. The sample consisted of first- to seventh-year medical students at the Private University of Tacna (Peru). The factor structure was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance by sex and academic phase, internal consistency, and criterion validity against academic performance (continuous GPA) and history of mental-health care.

Results: A total of 248 medical students participated (54.4% women; mean age 22.9 years). The five-factor model showed adequate fit (CFI = 0.968; RMSEA = 0.064) with standardized loadings between 0.71 and 0.89. Measurement invariance held by academic phase and, with caution, by sex (configural RMSEA = 0.098). Internal consistency was acceptable (ω = 0.68–0.86), with Openness the lowest (ω = 0.68). No Big Five dimension correlated significantly with continuous GPA; however, Neuroticism was significantly higher among students with a history of mental-health care (p = 0.004, d = 0.55).

Conclusion: The BFI-10 shows adequate evidence of structural validity and measurement invariance (with caution for sex) in Peruvian medical students. Criterion-validity evidence remains preliminary; the instrument is suitable for group-level research rather than individual, selection, or screening decisions.

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Published

2026-08-20

How to Cite

Flores-Cohaila , J. A., Miranda-Chavez , B., Huarcaya-Victoria, J., Copaja-Corzo , C., Montesinos, S. Y., & Estela-Fernandez, C. A. (2026). Evidence of validity of the 10-item Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) in Peruvian medical students. Interacciones, 12, e542. https://doi.org/10.24016/2026.v12.542

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Vol. 12 (2026): January - December

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