Longitudinal Study of Medical School Students, 1980-1984

The purpose of the study was to identify and describe experiences of stress in the lives and training of medical students, to determine the nature of the personal and environmental resources that students used to cope with stress, and to assess the effectiveness of these adaptational responses. All entering students at the two schools were invited to participate in the questionnaire phase of the research during orientation week in September, 1980.

Data were collected in this first wave from 265 students, approximately 85% of the two first year classes. In addition to the demographic questions, the package of instruments included a self-esteem scale, a locus of control scale, sex-role and social support measures, TATs, Habits of Nervous Tension, Life Conditions Questionnaire, the Multiple Affect Checklist, and depression and anxiety scales. A subsample of 64 students was interviewed during the first year; this group contained equal numbers of men and women and equal numbers of nonminorities and minorities.