ABSTRACT
SUMMARY. Selected literature is reviewed to illustrate the causes and effects of stressors in various medical professional groups. In general, the common stressors faced by medical professionals appear to result from the interdependent nature of the jobs in the hospital or medical settings, the individual's sociocultural background and personality. Individual characteristics moderated the relationship between stressors and stress symptoms. Job and role-related stressors were consistently related to distress, or negative consequences, while positive work relationships and social support appeared to decrease distress. Directions for future research areas are discussed.
