Associations between professional values and self-actualization among South Korean and Chinese medical students.
4 affiliations
- 1Institute of Science Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
- 2Division of Science Education, Biology Major, Institute of Science Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
- 3The Wilson Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- 4Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
Objectives
To compare professional values endorsed at one South Korean and one Chinese medical school, examine which values were associated with endorsement of self-actualization, and identify latent value classes.Methods
Cross-sectional convenience survey of 321 medical students: 211 second- and third-year students at a Korean national university, 110 at a Chinese medical college. Twelve items (11 values, self-actualization) were scored as endorsed or not, with unlimited selections; the Chinese version was back-translated. Analyses were t-tests, phi coefficients, logistic regression, and latent class analysis with Benjamini-Hochberg correction.Results
Competence was endorsed most frequently in both samples. Korean students endorsed competence, t₍₃₁₉₎ = 3.27, p = .001, and collaboration, t₍₃₁₉₎ = 4.05, p < .001, more often, Chinese students endorsed social recognition, t₍₃₁₉₎ = -3.01, p = .003; all survived correction, with small effects (d = 0.38, 0.48, -0.35). Satisfaction with the major was higher in the Korean sample, t₍₃₁₈₎ = 27.66, p < .001, d = 3.26, reported descriptively only. Social contribution was associated with self-actualization in both samples (r = .25 Korean, .44 Chinese) and was the only logistic coefficient to remain significant after adjustment (OR = 5.42, p = .001, Chinese sample); Korean associations attenuated after adjusting for the number of values endorsed. Latent classes (two Korean, three Chinese) differed mainly in endorsement breadth.Conclusions
Social contribution was the most consistent correlate of endorsement of self-actualization. Because each country was represented by one institution, differences cannot be attributed to culture. Career guidance may address value heterogeneity within cohorts; multi-institutional longitudinal research is needed.
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BibTeX
@article{hwang2026associations,
title = {{Associations between professional values and self-actualization among South Korean and Chinese medical students.}},
author = {Hyojeong Hwang and Jun-Ki Lee and Qiuyue Fang and Hyo Hyun Yoo},
journal = {International journal of medical education},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5116/ijme.6ac6.3280},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899803},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Associations between professional values and self-actualization among South Korean and Chinese medical students.
AU - Hyojeong Hwang
AU - Jun-Ki Lee
AU - Qiuyue Fang
AU - Hyo Hyun Yoo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - International journal of medical education
DO - 10.5116/ijme.6ac6.3280
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42899803
AB - Objectives To compare professional values endorsed at one South Korean and one Chinese medical school, examine which values were associated with endorsement of self-actualization, and identify latent value classes.Methods Cross-sectional convenience survey of 321 medical students: 211 second- and third-year students at a Korean national university, 110 at a Chinese medical college. Twelve items (11 values, self-actualization) were scored as endorsed or not, with unlimited selections; the Chinese version was back-translated. Analyses were t-tests, phi coefficients, logistic regression, and latent class analysis with Benjamini-Hochberg correction.Results Competence was endorsed most frequently in both samples. Korean students endorsed competence, t₍₃₁₉₎ = 3.27, p = .001, and collaboration, t₍₃₁₉₎ = 4.05, p < .001, more often, Chinese students endorsed social recognition, t₍₃₁₉₎ = -3.01, p = .003; all survived correction, with small effects (d = 0.38, 0.48, -0.35). Satisfaction with the major was higher in the Korean sample, t₍₃₁₈₎ = 27.66, p < .001, d = 3.26, reported descriptively only. Social contribution was associated with self-actualization in both samples (r = .25 Korean, .44 Chinese) and was the only logistic coefficient to remain significant after adjustment (OR = 5.42, p = .001, Chinese sample); Korean associations attenuated after adjusting for the number of values endorsed. Latent classes (two Korean, three Chinese) differed mainly in endorsement breadth.Conclusions Social contribution was the most consistent correlate of endorsement of self-actualization. Because each country was represented by one institution, differences cannot be attributed to culture. Career guidance may address value heterogeneity within cohorts; multi-institutional longitudinal research is needed.
SN - 2042-6372
ER -