Personality factors mediating the adaptation to stress in military institutions were investigated. A comparison of Cattell 16 Factor PF scores was performed for Naval Academy plebes who dropped-out before the end of the first semester for non-academic reasons and those who remained. One personality factor significantly differentiated these two groups. Dropouts scored lower than remainders on the factor reflecting group-dependence. The results are discussed in light of the role of extraversion and affiliation in coping with stressful situations having interpersonal dimensions.
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