Resident Competence, Morale, and Psychiatric Training: I. The “High Risk” Resident

The authors surveyed 442 residents from a stratified random sample of 59 U.S. psychiatric training programs to determine the relationships between residents’ demographic characteristics and their perceptions of program supportiveness, self-confidence, competence, and training program satisfaction; one-third of residents surveyed responded. Results indicate that single, minority, female, older, and PGY II and III residents express more dissatisfaction with their training, report lower levels of self-confidence and competence, receive fewer program supports, and may experience more difficulties in professional identity development than other residents. Findings suggest the need to view residents’ program complaints as a partial function of their stage of professional development, demographic characteristics, and availability of similar role models.