Exploring the relationship between demographic factors performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1styear medical students

Background. The majority of 1st-year students are ill-equipped for university life. This heightens stress levels, which are accentuated by a lack of resilience and impact negatively on academic performance and personal wellbeing. Objectives. To explore, within the paradigm of positive psychology, th...

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Main Authors: Shaista Hamid, Veena Singaram
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Health and Medical Publishing Group 2016-05-01
Series:African Journal of Health Professions Education
Online Access:http://www.ajhpe.org.za/index.php/ajhpe/article/download/748/372
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spelling doaj-24c1cb234ca64dadaf463b13258b3bab2020-11-25T00:26:08ZengHealth and Medical Publishing GroupAfrican Journal of Health Professions Education2078-51272016-05-01819910310.7196/AJHPE.2016.v8i1.748Exploring the relationship between demographic factors performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1styear medical studentsShaista HamidVeena SingaramBackground. The majority of 1st-year students are ill-equipped for university life. This heightens stress levels, which are accentuated by a lack of resilience and impact negatively on academic performance and personal wellbeing. Objectives. To explore, within the paradigm of positive psychology, the relationship between the self, family and support constructs of fortitude, and academic performance of 1st-year medical students. Method. First-year medical students completed a fortitude questionnaire and their academic performances in two academic modules were collated. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed for statistical analysis of the variables. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between academic performance and fortitude subscales, as well as the fortitude composite score. Results. The student population was multicultural, multilingual and had different educational and residential backgrounds. The fortitude instrument was found to be reliable and correlated significantly with student academic performance. Male students had significantly higher fortitude scores than female students. Students who had attended state/government schools had significantly lower fortitude than those who had attended private and ex-Model C schools. Students with prior degrees had higher fortitude than matriculants. Conclusion. The significant, albeit moderate, positive correlation between fortitude and academic performance highlights the need for further exploration of wellbeing and holistic development of medical students. Support programmes are recommended to bridge the gap related to gender and educational background. Low and fair levels of fortitude indicate a need for corrective measures. These could include consulting relevant support networks such as student counsellors, mentors and academic development personnel.http://www.ajhpe.org.za/index.php/ajhpe/article/download/748/372
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Shaista Hamid
Veena Singaram
spellingShingle Shaista Hamid
Veena Singaram
Exploring the relationship between demographic factors performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1styear medical students
African Journal of Health Professions Education
author_facet Shaista Hamid
Veena Singaram
author_sort Shaista Hamid
title Exploring the relationship between demographic factors performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1styear medical students
title_short Exploring the relationship between demographic factors performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1styear medical students
title_full Exploring the relationship between demographic factors performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1styear medical students
title_fullStr Exploring the relationship between demographic factors performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1styear medical students
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the relationship between demographic factors performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1styear medical students
title_sort exploring the relationship between demographic factors performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1styear medical students
publisher Health and Medical Publishing Group
series African Journal of Health Professions Education
issn 2078-5127
publishDate 2016-05-01
description Background. The majority of 1st-year students are ill-equipped for university life. This heightens stress levels, which are accentuated by a lack of resilience and impact negatively on academic performance and personal wellbeing. Objectives. To explore, within the paradigm of positive psychology, the relationship between the self, family and support constructs of fortitude, and academic performance of 1st-year medical students. Method. First-year medical students completed a fortitude questionnaire and their academic performances in two academic modules were collated. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed for statistical analysis of the variables. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between academic performance and fortitude subscales, as well as the fortitude composite score. Results. The student population was multicultural, multilingual and had different educational and residential backgrounds. The fortitude instrument was found to be reliable and correlated significantly with student academic performance. Male students had significantly higher fortitude scores than female students. Students who had attended state/government schools had significantly lower fortitude than those who had attended private and ex-Model C schools. Students with prior degrees had higher fortitude than matriculants. Conclusion. The significant, albeit moderate, positive correlation between fortitude and academic performance highlights the need for further exploration of wellbeing and holistic development of medical students. Support programmes are recommended to bridge the gap related to gender and educational background. Low and fair levels of fortitude indicate a need for corrective measures. These could include consulting relevant support networks such as student counsellors, mentors and academic development personnel.
url http://www.ajhpe.org.za/index.php/ajhpe/article/download/748/372
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