Psychiatrists' transition from training to career: stress and mastery.

Although the development of psychiatric residents has been studied extensively, continuing changes in psychiatrists after graduation from training have not. The authors present results of a survey research study of 263 psychiatrists recently graduated from a wide variety of training programs. The psychiatrists reported alarming symptoms of stress during this period, yet they used effective coping mechanisms and perceived themselves as increasing in growth, mastery, and confidence. Their overall contenment with their personal and professional lives effective coping mechanisms were those involving the establishment of support systems with loved ones.