Perceived mistreatment and psychosocial well-being of graduating medical students

Abstract

A newly-expanded and revised perceived mistreatment questionnaire was related to six psychosocial measures (self-esteem, health locus of control, hassles, uplifts, mood, and symptoms of stress) with a group of 74 of 174 graduating medical students. The students perceived an average of about 33 incidents (over eight per semester) of mistreatment over the course of 4 years of education, and about 96% perceived at least one type of mistreatment from some source. The most frequent type of mistreatment was being subjected to nasty, rude, or hostile treatment, while the most frequent source of mistreatment was residents/interns. The two most frequent type by source combinations were being subjected to nasty, rude or hostile treatment and being shouted and yelled at by nurses. Perceived mistreatment was significantly positively associated with external locus of control, hassles, and symptoms of stress. The potentially adverse effects of perceived mistreatment and its relationship to psychosocial well-being was discussed with a view to improving medical education through techniques designed to enhance the personal and professional development of each student.