ستعداد فانتزی و سرکوب افکار به عنوان پیش بینی سندرم دانشجوی پزشکی

This study examined individual differences correlates of the Medical Student Syndrome (MSS). A sample of 215 medical students completed a questionnaire measuring health complaints that had to do with their study as well as self-report scales tapping fantasy proneness, and habitual thought suppression attempts. Thirty percent (n=65) of the respondents reported MSS complaints related to a wide variety of diseases. Fantasy proneness and thought suppression were found to be independent predictors of these complaints.

Thirty-six percent (n=78) of the students reported MSS complaints. Seventeen students (22%) consulted a medical specialist. However, in 13 students (17%) a disease was diagnosed, indicating that their complaints had an objective medical ground. In our sample then, 30% (n=65) of the medical students had a history of MSS. MSS data are based on this sample. Third and fourth year students did not differ with regard to MSS frequency [χ2(1)=0.26; P=0.61]. Mean ratings of seriousness and fear of the complaints were 5.08 (SD=1.80) and 5.03 (SD=2.56), respectively. Seriousness ratings, but not fear ratings, of those who had actually a disease were higher than of those who had not, means being 8.00 (SD=0.82) and 5.08 (SD=1.80), respectively [t(76)=−5.73; P<0.001]. The frequency of reported diseases are listed in Table 1. For the purpose of this study, complaints [e.g. Chronic Non Specific Lung Disease (CNSLD), bronchitis] were grouped together in 12 non-overlapping categories. We created one category for non-specified complaints. As can be seen, MSS complaints pertained to a broad variety of diseases.