MIGRATION INTENTION: INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS AND RESILIENCE AMONG SCHOOL OF NURSING STUDENTS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

The migration of Nigerian nurses to other countries poses a serious challenge to the nation’s healthcare system, leading to staff shortages, increased workload, and reduced quality of care. While economic and workplace factors, such as low pay and poor working conditions, are well-documented drivers of this trend, the role of personality traits, including openness to experience, risk-taking, resilience, and adaptability, has received little attention. These traits may significantly influence a nurse’s decision to migrate or remain. This study explores how personality factors interact with systemic issues to shape migration choices, aiming to inform more effective, targeted retention strategies and enhance workforce stability in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The research adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The study investigated the influence of personality traits and resilience on migration intention among University of Ibadan nursing school students. The study was carried out at the School of Nursing, University College Hospital, Ibadan. The intention of individuals to migrate abroad was measured using the intention scale developed by Chan-Hoong and Soon (2011). The data were analysed using multiple regression at a significance level of p < 0.05. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the Big Five personality traits and resilience significantly predicted migration intentions, explaining 8.4% of the variance. The model was statistically significant, F(6, 167) = 2.54, p = .022. Agreeableness negatively predicted migration intentions (β = -0.271, p = .002), indicating that more agreeable individuals were less likely to intend to migrate. In contrast, conscientiousness positively predicted migration intentions (β = 0.195, p = .042), suggesting that more conscientious individuals were more likely to consider migration. Resilience showed a marginally significant positive effect (β = 0.147, p = .054), indicating a possible trend toward greater migration intention among more resilient individuals. This study found that agreeableness reduces, while conscientiousness increases, migration intentions among Nigerians. Resilience also supports adaptability, highlighting the role of psychological traits in shaping culturally influenced migration decisions.