Contributions of Affective Temperament Traits to Professional Choice: Evidence from the Study of Firefighters, Musicians, Athletes, Bank Managers, Nurses and Paramedics

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to expand knowledge about the relationship between temperament and choice of profession by comparing temperaments among representatives of various professional groups. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 759 subjects aged 18–71, representatives of six professional groups: firefighters, musicians, athletes, bank managers, nurses and paramedics, were included in the study. Temperament was assessed using the TEMPS-A autoquestionnaire. RESULTS: Musicians showed higher levels of depressive and anxious temperaments whereas firefighters were lower on cyclothymic dimension. Athletes, bank managers and paramedics showed higher intensity of hyperthymic temperament compared to firefighters, musicians and nurses. Athletes showed lower of depressive temperament compared to bankers, musicians and nurses. Bankers obtained lower results of irritable temperament compared to musicians, athletes and nurses. Nurses showed a higher intensity of anxious temperament compared to firefighters, athletes and paramedics. CONCLUSION: The results obtained support the concept of adaptive and socially useful role of affective temperaments. The studied professional groups show different individual temperamental profiles, which is justified in such aspects of the profession, as the level of stimulation, stress encountered, the necessity of making important decisions, or entering into relationship with the patient.