Pilot mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence rates from semi-structured interviews, and associated vulnerability and protective factors

Frontiers in Psychology · 3 authors, 2 centres

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TL;DR

This cross-sectional study used the DIAMOND semi-structured diagnostic interview to assess mental health in 73 commercial pilots during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that over one third met criteria for at least one diagnosable mental health disorder, with anxiety disorders most common.

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This cross-sectional study assessed 73 commercial pilots during the COVID-19 pandemic using the DIAMOND semi-structured diagnostic interview, supplemented by measures of life event stressors, personality, passion, lifestyle, and coping strategies. Over one third of pilots met criteria for at least one diagnosable mental health disorder, with anxiety disorders being the most commonly identified (19.18%), followed by ADHD (13.70%), Adjustment Disorder, and Depressive Disorders. COVID-19 affected 95% of participants. Five cases of suicidal thoughts were reported, with no cases meeting suicide risk criteria.

STUDY TYPE

cohort

SPECIALTY

psychiatry

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AI pipeline

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10194658

Pilot mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence rates from semi-structured interviews, and associated vulnerability and protective factors

Frontiers in Psychology

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Introduction Pilots are a unique occupational group who perform a specialised job and face significant stressors. Pilot mental health has received increased attention since Germanwings Flight 9525; however, this research has largely focused on general anxiety, depression, and suicide and relied on a questionnaire-based methodology. This approach is likely to miss various mental health issues that may affect pilot wellbeing, leaving the prevalence of mental health issues in aviation unclear. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have a particular impact on the mental health and wellbeing of pilots, who experienced the devastating effect of COVID-19 on the industry. Method In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of 73 commercial pilots during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the DIAMOND semi-structured diagnostic interview and explored possible associated vulnerability and protective factors, including life event stressors, personality, passion, lifestyle factors, and coping strategies. Results The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on aviation during the time of this study, affecting 95% of participants. The diagnostic results revealed over one third of pilots had symptoms of a diagnoseable mental health disorder. Anxiety disorders were the most commonly found disorders, followed by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Adjustment Disorder, and Depressive Disorders. Pilots’ high life event scores placed them at an increased risk for the development of stress-related illness, though did not explain which pilots had mental health difficulties in this study. Regression analysis supported a diathesis-stress model for pilot mental health, with disagreeableness and obsessive passion contributing to pilots’ development of mental health issues, and nutrition as the most important protective factor. Discussion This study, though limited to the COVID-19 pandemic, provides a valuable precedent for a more thorough assessment of pilot mental health, and contributes to the broader understanding of pilot mental health, including suggestions to target factors associated with the development of mental health issues. Keywords: aviation, pilot, mental health, COVID-19, diagnoses

CITATION EXPORT

Corrie A Ackland, Brett R C Molesworth, Jessica R Grisham. Pilot mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence rates from semi-structured interviews, and associated vulnerability and protective factors. Frontiers in Psychology. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1073857

AUTHORS

3 · 2 CENTRES

Corrie A Ackland, Brett R C Molesworth, Jessica R Grisham

1School of Aviation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
2School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia