en عمومى General پژوهشي Research Article <span style="line-height:2;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b>Background</b> Psychological distress can significantly impair emotional functioning and affect multiple domains of daily life. The high prevalence of mental health challenges and psychological distress has important implications for individual, familial, social, and organizational functioning, particularly within the nursing profession. Nurses are routinely exposed to substantial occupational stressors and emotional demands. This study aimed to examine the relationship between personality dimensions and psychological distress among nurses working in private hospitals in Kerman.<br> <b>Methods</b> This cross-sectional study used a descriptive correlational design. Data collection was conducted over approximately 1.5 years, from late 2020 to 2022, with delays attributable to COVID-19 health protocol restrictions. The study population included all nurses employed in private hospitals in Kerman (n=232). Based on Morgan&rsquo;s sampling table, 142 nurses were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected through in-person questionnaire administration during work shifts. Psychological distress was assessed using the Oxford Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE, 14 items), and personality traits were measured using Goldberg&rsquo;s Big Five Personality Questionnaire (50 items). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, version 26. Associations were examined using Spearman correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis.<br> <b>Results</b> Of the participants, 88 (61.97%) were female and 54 (38.03%) were male. The mean (SD) age was 39.8 (8.6) years for female nurses and 41.5 (5.2) years for male nurses. Significant associations were observed between psychological distress and all five personality dimensions. Psychological distress was positively correlated with neuroticism (r=0.250, p<0.001) and openness to experience (r=0.308, p<0.001), and negatively correlated with extraversion (r=&minus;0.234, p<0.001), agreeableness (r=&minus;0.251, p<0.001), and conscientiousness (r=&minus;0.522, p<0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that these personality traits collectively explained 43% of the variance in psychological distress (R&sup2;=0.43, F=19.26, p<0.001).<br> <b>Conclusion</b> This study demonstrated significant associations between personality traits and psychological distress among nurses. The findings highlight the importance of assessing personality characteristics to identify individuals at increased risk of psychological distress. The results also support the development of targeted interventions focusing on strengthening self-efficacy, psychological resilience, and coping strategies to reduce psychological distress in nursing populations.</span></span></span> Cross-Sectional Studies, Hospitals, Iran, Nurses, Personality, Private, Psychological, Stress 55 61 http://hsm.umsu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-236-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Amin Beigzadeh beigzadeh.amin@gmail.com 10031947532846004994 10031947532846004994 No Education Development Center, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran Seyed Mostafa Seyed Askari mmaskari142@gmail.com 10031947532846004995 10031947532846004995 Yes e Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran