Personality Traits and Career Disengagement in Military Cadets: An Analysis of Relationships Based on MMPI-2 Results

This study examined the relationship between personality traits and career disengagement among cadets to prevent attrition and support career adaptation. A total of 120 high-risk cadets from the Korea Military Academy (KMA), admitted between 2022 and 2025 and identified through abnormal MMPI-2 responses, participated in the study. Based on MMPI-2 results, key risk and protective factors were identified. RC8 (Aberrant Experiences), MDS (Marital Distress), and GF (Feminine Gender Role) scales were associated with higher attrition risk, while PSYC (Psychoticism) and OH (Overcontrolled Hostility) scales served as protective factors. Additionally, four emotional subtypes were classified: severely unstable responders, resilient stabilizers, quietly suppressed affect maintainers, and autonomously isolated introverts. These subgroups differed in emotional regulation, self-control, and social response styles. However, the attrition rate did not significantly differ among clusters. These findings contribute to understanding psychological factors that influence cadet disengagement and offer practical value for identifying at-risk individuals early in the selection or training process. Furthermore, emotional subgroup classification within the abnormal respondent group provides a foundation for individualized counseling and coaching strategies to support career continuity in military training environments.