The mediating role of professional identity between role models and self-determination in medical students: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to investigate self-determination, explore the mediating role of professional identity between role models and self-determination, and detect how role models and professional identity contribute to the development of self-determination among medical students. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional descriptive study involving 289 medical students in China was conducted. The Self-Determination Scale (SDS), Professional Identity Scale (PIS), and Sense of Admiration Scale (SAS) were employed to collect data. The bootstrapping method was used to analyze the mediating effect of professional identity between role models and self-determination. Results: The average score on the SDS was 71.21 (SD = 11.72), while the mean score on the PIS was 69.49 (SD = 11.57), and the mean score on the SAS was 61.48 (SD = 10.41). A high level of role model perception had a significant direct effect (40.54%) on the degree of self-determination among medical students. Furthermore, professional identity had a significant positive mediating effect (54.83%) on the relationship between role models and self-determination. Conclusion: Medical educators should focus on creating positive role models and enhancing their perceptions of these role models to foster self-determination among medical students. Additionally, strengthening professional identity could indirectly enhance the self-determination of medical students.