Abstract:

Objective To explore the characteristics of patience in medical postgraduates，and to provide reference for the prevention and intervention of depression among them. Methods A total of 687 students were surveyed with the Patient Health Questionnaire⁃9（PHQ⁃9）and Patience Scale through an online survey. The patience of medical postgraduates was classified based on the results of latent class analysis，and the relationship between patience and depression was determined by correlation analysis，analysis of variance and chi⁃square test. Results （1）There was significant negative correlation between patience and depression in medical postgraduates （r = -0.12，P < 0.01）.（2）Four latent class models of patience had been found among medical postgraduates： “patience group（39.0%）”，“repression group（30.4%）”，“self⁃discipline group（18.8%）”and“impulsion group （11.8%）”.（3）There was difference in terms of depression in the four latent class models（F = 23.60，P < 0.01） and in terms of positive rate of depression（χ2 = 49.67，P < 0.01）. Higher depression score［（9.10 ± 4.25）vs. （7.83 ± 4.27）vs.（6.26 ± 3.84）vs.（6.20 ± 3.83）］and higher positive screening rate（37.8% vs. 24.7% vs. 14.2% vs. 10.9%）were found in the“repression group”and“impulsion group”than those in the other two groups. Conclusion The psychological performance of patience among medical postgraduates is correlated with depressive symptoms，revealing that students who suppress emotions and act impulsively present more signs of depression， whereas those with higher patience and delayed gratification show fewer signs of depression. 

Key words:

depression, medical postgraduates, patience, latent class analysis