Am J Psychiatry 1981; 138:1346-1351
Copyright © 1981 by American Psychiatric Association
Sex differences in medical student mental health
C Lloyd and NK Gartrell
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.
