Abstract
ObjectiveThe clusters of participants with a homogeneous psychological make-up can be identified using sophisticated machine learning techniques such as the two-step clustering algorithm. It can also help us to identify the synergistic and additive effects of a range of psychometric variables. The identification of synergistic effect of this clustering of defense mechanism has significant practical implications as they share a certain variance. This study aims to identify the clusters of ego defenses and their relationship with academic performance and mental health outcome in medical students.ResultsThe high achievers scored higher on mature and neurotic defense styles and lower on immature than their counter parts. A higher proportion of medical students in high achievers group had normal scores on depressive symptoms than low achievers. While a majority among low achievers suffered from severe anxiety levels than high achievers group. High achievers scored higher on sublimation, humor, anticipation, suppression, pseudo-altruism, idealization, reaction formation, autistic fantasy, denial, and rationalization.
Highlights
Ego defenses are a set of unconscious cognitive processes that help an individual ward off unwarranted anxiety [1]
While a majority among low achievers suffered from severe anxiety levels than high achievers group
The questionnaire proforma comprised of a section recording demographics and grades obtained on their annual examination, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and the defense style questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40), published in our previous study [7]
Summary
A total of 258 medical students (63.1%) were enrolled in pre-clinical years while 150 (36.70%) in clinical years. A total of 83 (20.30%) were borderline and 35 (8.6%) severely depressed while 131 (32%) were borderline and 150 (36.70%) were severely anxious Their mean scores on the anxiety subscale were 9.5 (3.9) and 5.8 (3.12) on the depression subscale. A higher proportion of medical students in high achievers group had normal scores on depressive symptoms than low achievers. While a majority among low achievers suffered from severe anxiety levels than high achievers group. Participants in the high achievers group were younger (19.38 years vs 20.60 years, females (Chi. 243 High achievers (100%) 5.71 4.92 5.92 5.47 5.77 6.19 6.19 5.99 6.28 5.91 5.5 4.5 4.58 5.43 5.51 3.95 5.33 4.16 4.3 4.48 5.22 6.34 5.18 Normal (76.5%) Borderline (36.2%).
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