Personality and Social Adjustment of Medical Cadets, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine
Tassana Jaichumchuen BS, MS*, Sirinapa Jarmornmarn BS, MEd*, Saovanee Leelayoova PhD**, Mathirut Mungthin MD, PhD**
Affiliation : * Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Parasitology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine personality and ability of social adjustment of medical cadets, Phramongkutkao
College of Medicine. In addition, the factors influencing social adjustment in these medical cadets were
evaluated.
Material and Method: The study population consisted of 45 medical cadets in their second year of a 6-year
medical curriculum of Phramongkutkao College of Medicine. All study medical cadets gave written informed
consent. The medical cadets completed a baseline assessment including a standardized questionnaire for
general information and social adjustment. Personality traits were determined by a standard personality test,
the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF).
Results : The personalities of medical cadets were in between reserved and outgoing socially aware, concerns,
shrewd and practical. The ability of social adjustment in these medical cadets was high. Social adjustment was
significantly different between medical cadets who received different scholarships. Social adjustment of the
medical cadets was positively correlated with personalities: factor C (emotionally stable), factor I (sensitivity),
factor G (group conformity), factor H (social boldness), and factor Q3 (self-control), but negatively correlated
with factor M (abstractedness), and factor Q2 (self-sufficiency).
Conclusion : This study presents the unique personalities of medical cadets. Social adjustment is significantly
different between medical cadets with different source of scholarships. Longitudinal study of the influence of
personality and social adjustment on academic performance needs to be performed.
Keywords : Academies and institutes, Military medicine, Personality, Schools medical, Social adjustment, Students medical
