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Fears of physicians and other professionals groups
The International Journal of Social Psychiatry
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Physicians, attorneys, and professors differ in fearfulness, with doctors uniquely fearing sickness and aging. Despite differing fears, all groups prioritize their concerns similarly, suggesting profession influences anxiety focus.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Professional roles can shape individual anxieties and concerns.
- Understanding fearfulness across different professions is crucial for mental well-being.
- Previous research has not extensively compared fear profiles of physicians, attorneys, and professors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the degree and nature of fearfulness among physicians, attorneys, and professors.
- To determine if professional identity influences specific anxieties.
- To analyze fear prioritization across these distinct professional groups.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of self-reported fearfulness across three professional groups.
- Exploration of specific fear triggers and their relation to professional roles.
- Statistical examination of fear prioritization and intensity.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in the degree of fearfulness were observed among physicians, attorneys, and professors.
- Physicians exhibited heightened fear related to sickness and aging, aligning with their profession.
- Attorneys and professors did not display distinct, profession-specific outstanding fears, though fear prioritization was similar across groups.
Conclusions:
- Professional identity significantly impacts the specific fears individuals experience.
- While fear intensity varies, the prioritization of fears shows cross-occupational similarities.
- Further research is warranted to explore the nuances of fear in specialized professional populations.