We extended the scope of previous investigations by exploring the role of personal lifestyle patterns and how these variables connect to job satisfaction for psychiatrists in Ontario. More specifically, we explore the correlates of self-reported success and personal satisfaction in a cohort of psychiatric residents, who have been followed for more than 20 years (9,10). First, we sought to examine the relation between professional-practice characteristics and nonprofessional, personal lifestyle patterns as predictors of professional success and personal satisfaction. Because previous investigations indicated that personality traits measured during residency predicted professional behaviour and misconduct in the years following training (9,10), a second goal was to examine whether personality characteristics—in particular, the stable and replicable traits of neuroticism and extraversion (11), assessed during residency—contributed to the prediction of perceived success and personal satisfaction. The current investigation represents an ongoing examination of a cohort of psychiatrists who entered 2 Canadian residency programs in the mid-1970s (9).

Method

Subjects and Procedures

As part of this ongoing follow-up study of the practice and career patterns of psychiatrists, we solicited the same cohort of psychiatrists who participated in the first phase of this research program, which was performed during their residency (21 to 24 years ago) (9). The original cohort comprised 70 psychiatric residents from 2 Canadian universities (University of Toronto and University of Western Ontario), who were entering first-year residency training between 1974 and 1978. All potential participants were informed that to take part in the study they must a) complete a series of psychologic tests, of which they would not be given the results; b) allow the investigators to access their personal files held by the Department of Psychiatry; and c) agree to be contacted for follow-up investigations after completing their training. Those who agreed to participate signed an informed consent document that stipulated each of these conditions.

The group of participants in this study included psychiatrists from the original sample of participants (n = 70). In the original study, 120 residents were invited to participate for an overall response rate of 58%. We were unable to locate or learn the status of 22 of the original 70 psychiatrists (31%) who had completed the original research protocol. Of the remaining 48, 2 were deceased, and an additional 7 were not currently practising psychiatry. Of the remaining 39 (56% of the original sample), 32 were men and 7 were women.

In the fall of 1998, we mailed a questionnaire package to the sample of 39 psychiatrists. This package included a cover letter explaining the purpose of the study, a consent to participate and reply letter, and a 10-page self-report questionnaire. In addition, we provided 2 stamped return envelopes to ensure confidentiality of questionnaire responses: 1 for the return of the consent and reply letter and the other for the confidential return of the completed questionnaire. For psychiatrists who did not respond, 2 additional reminder mailings followed the initial mailing. Six months after the first mailing, 29 (70%) of the 39 (or 41% of the sample that participated 21 to 24 years earlier) that were included in the mailing returned completed questionnaires. Independent sample t-tests and chi-square analyses indicated no significant differences between the psychiatrists included in this study (n = 29) and those who were not (n = 41) on the following variables assessed during their residency training: age, sex, and marital status.

Measures

In the original study, residents completed several questionnaires, which included the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) (11). At the time of the original study, the EPI was the best known self-report instrument, measuring 2 robust and replicable dimensions of personality—neuroticism and extraversion. Although several other models of personality have been developed since then (for example, the Five-Factor Model) (12), the dimensions of neuroticism and extraversion are still represented in almost every model. Neuroticism is best defined as the propensity to experience a wide range of negative affects and a general susceptibility to psychological stress. High scorers in normal samples tend to be prone to anxiety and dysphoric mood and are relatively incapable of regulating emotional responses to stressful life events. Low scorers are more emotionally stable, calm in the face of stress, even-tempered, and relaxed. Extraversion, in the broadest sense, represents sociability but also represents the capacity to experience positive emotions. High scorers on extraversion are assertive, outgoing, active, gregarious, and cheerful in disposition. Low scorers, on the other hand, do not manifest such exuberances; they are shy, socially retiring, and reserved (12). Recent studies indicate that these 2 personality traits have high heritability coefficients (13) and display remarkable stability across the lifespan (14).

At follow up, participants completed a questionnaire, which consisted of several items that inquired about their