Original Article
DOI : https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2010.22.2.141

Korean J Med Educ. 2010; 22(2): 141-148.

Published online 2010 June 30.

doi: https://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2010.22.2.141

The Relationship between the Level of I-conscousness We-consciousness and Interpersonal Problems of Korean Medical Students

Eunbae B. Yang¹, Wootack Jeon¹, and Sook-hee Ryue²

¹Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
²Brain Korea 21 Project for Yonsei Medical Science, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding Author: Email: ryueedu@yuhs.ac

Received 2010 January 29;    Accepted 2010 March 17.

PURPOSE: In Korea, students should have the consciousness of 'I' and 'we' to adapt well in society. Medical students in Korea must develop interpersonal and intrapersonal characteristics that are in accordance with Korean culture. This study intends to determine the relationship between the level of I-consciousness/we-consciousness and interpersonal problems in medical students. METHODS: The I-consciousness/we-consciousness Inventory and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems were used for 212 first year medical students and 191 second year medical students at Yonsei University College of Medicine in 2008. RESULTS: The levels of I-consciousness/we-consciousness and interpersonal problems in medical students were higher than those of other general college students. There was a significant inverse correlation between the level of I-consciousness/we-consciousness and interpersonal problems for 118 of 130 factors. The higher the level of I-consciousness/we-consciousness in medical students is, the fewer interpersonal problems there are. CONCLUSION: Educational programs that take into account the consciousness of 'I' and 'we' are useful for the development of medical students' personalities.

Keywords : Consciousness;Interpersonal relations;Medical students;Personality