Sex differences in medical student mental health

Abstract

The authors studied first-year medical students to assess sex differences in psychological functioning. No initial sex differences in adjustment were found on any self-report measures. By mid-year, however, women students had developed more psychiatric symptoms and tended to report less satisfaction with life. By the year's end the women remained somewhat more symptomatic but to a lesser extent than had been apparent at mid-year. Women also reported more role conflict and described their families as less supportive of their career choice. The authors suggest that these findings point to the potentially negative impact of current medical training on women.