Purpose: We examined two overarching topics: What are the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior (FIRO-B), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores in medical students? Do their interpersonal needs correlate with stress and depression?
Methods: FIRO-B, PSS-10, and SDS were administered to 82 freshmen in College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea in 2014. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, frequency, two-way analysis of variance, independent t-test, and Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp.).
Results: The level of interpersonal needs was medium range (mean, 24.52). The mean perceived stress score was 18.6. Also, 59.8% and 40.2% of students had normal range (<20) and high stress (≥20). The mean score for depression was 36.3. Further, 97.6% and 2.4% of students had normal range (≤49) and mild depression (≤59). Wanted behavior correlated with stress (r=0.056) and depression (r=0.021). Expressed behavior correlated negatively with stress (r=-0.206) and depression (r=-0.301).
Conclusion: The interpersonal needs of medical freshmen are related to stress and depression. These results can be used effectively in school adaptation programs for medical students to improve their quality of life.
Keywords: Adaptation program; Depression; Interpersonal needs; Medical students; Stress.