"Entering the adult world": developmental issues in medical education

Members of a medical school graduating class of 1985 were studied as freshmen and prior to graduation to assess the developmental issues of autonomy, intimacy and career choice. Results indicated that senior medical students were more likely to address and resolve these issues than were freshmen, that students who had resolved these issues were better able to cope with the stressors of medical education, and that senior men and women responded to these issues differently. Women were significantly more concerned about career choice, competency, intellectual challenge, socializing with peers and developing an intimate relationship. Individuals who were in committed relationships were better able to cope with the stressors of medical school than their noncommitted colleagues, as evidenced by their reporting fewer depressive episodes and lower use of alcohol and drugs.