OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the differences in psychological traits between rural poor individuals from self-assessment and external assessment perspectives, and to examine the correlation between the main socio-demographic factors of the poor population and their psychological traits. The ultimate goal is to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of effective poverty alleviation policies and to promote the development of poverty psychology and anti-poverty psychology. METHODS: The study involved 1,943 poor individuals and 1,889 non-poor individuals from over 80 natural villages across eight provinces(regions) in central China (Shanxi, Henan, Hubei), northwestern China (Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Qinghai), and southwestern China (Guizhou and Yunnan). The psychological trait levels of the poor rural population were assessed using the "Rural poor Population Psychological Trait Assessment Questionnaire." RESULTS: Independent samples t-test showed that, from both self-assessment and external assessment perspectives, the poor population scored significantly higher on traits of retractability and stubbornness, while scoring significantly lower on the trait of grit compared to the non-poor population. The results of hierarchical linear regression indicated that socio-demographic factors such as age, health status, family size, and the poverty degree of the poor individuals contributed to 5.2% of the variance in the formation of psychological traits among the rural poor population. CONCLUSION: From both self-assessment and external assessment perspectives, significant differences were observed between the poor and non-poor populations in terms of their evaluations on traits of retractability, grit, and stubbornness. This indicates that there is a notable disparity between the poor individuals' own perceptions and cognitions and the external evaluations they receive. The socio-demographic factors of rural poor individuals contribute only 5.2% to the variance in the formation of their psychological traits. This suggests that the deeper socio-cultural roots underlying the formation of psychological traits in the poor population await further exploration.