Abstract

The aim of this comparative-descriptive study was evaluation of the effect of academic majors on educational adjustment and motivation power between four academic majors: Engineering, Human Sciences, Medical Sciences and Paramedical Sciences. It is hypothesized that educational adjustment and motivation power varies amongst different academic majors' students. One hundred students from 4 majors, Engineering, Human Sciences, Medical Sciences and Paramedical Sciences, were selected through random sampling. Data were collected using the Bell's Questionnaire of Adjustment and Academic Motivation Power Scale. Chi square, independent samples t-test (Mann-Whitney test if necessary) and analysis of variance were used to analyze data. Results showed that only in terms of educational adjustment there was a meaningful difference between medical students and other academic majors. Based on this result, medical school is a stressful period of physician training. Many medical students experience substantial distress which contributes to poor academic performance, academic dishonesty, cynicism and substance abuse. Medical educators need to be aware of the manifestations, causes and consequences of student distress. © 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information.