The Study of Hardiness and Its Association with Aggression and Interpersonal Sensitivity in Physicians

Abstract

Background: Physicians experience a significant amount of stress. Medical residents and physicians are considered a high-risk group because of long working hours and high levels of stress associated with their training and life. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate hardiness in physicians according to specialty, sex, age, and marital status and investigate the relationship between hardiness and aggression, interpersonal sensitivity, and educational success. Methods: In a cross- sectional study, 194 second-year residents from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, who were studying in 23 different specialties in the year 2017, were enrolled. The data collection tools included a demographic form, hardiness scale, and aggression and interpersonal sensitivity scales of The Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL90). Results: Mean scores of commitment, challenge, and control were 71.91 ± 15.57, 48.23 ± 13.30, and 71.66 ± 12.98, respectively. Women had significantly lower challenge scores than men (P = 0.017), and the mean challenge score was significantly higher among married participants (P = 0.008). Commitment and control scores were not influenced by the subject’s characteristics (P > 0.05). Increment of grade point average (OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.29 - 0.87) and control score (OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.93 - 0.99) significantly decreased the risk of deterioration of aggressive behaviour. Interpersonal sensitivity level was significantly associated with the challenge (P = 0.001), control, and commitment (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, and emergency medicine specialists obtained the highest scores in hardiness, while radiotherapists and gynaecologists scored highest in aggression and interpersonal sensitivity. Considering the reverse relationship of hardiness with aggression and interpersonal sensitivity, it is necessary to implement educational programs for boosting hardiness among physicians.