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Li WC, Zhang J, Braithwaite G, Kearney P. Quick coherence technique facilitating commercial pilots' psychophysiological resilience to the impact of COVID-19. ERGONOMICS 2023; 66:1176-1189. [PMID: 36305276 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2022.2139416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of quick coherence technique (QCT) on commercial pilots' resilience to the unprecedented impact of a pandemic. Eighteen commercial pilots voluntarily participated in a 2-day training course on QCT followed by 2 months of self-regulated QCT practicing during controlled rest in the flight deck and day-to day life. There are subjective and objective assessments to evaluate the effects of QCT on commercial pilots' psychophysiological resilience. Results demonstrated that QCT training can significantly increase pilots' psychophysiological resilience thereby improving their mental/physical health, cognitive functions, emotional stability and wellness on both subjective (PSS & AWSA) and objective measures (coherence scores). Moreover, pilots who continued practicing self-regulated QCT gained the maximum benefits. Current research has identified great potential to enhance pilots' mental/physical health via QCT training. Operators can develop peer support programs for pilots to increase resilience and maintain mental and physical health using the QCT technique. Practitioner summary: QCT breathing has been proven to increase commercial pilots' resilience by moderating psychophysiological coherence, strengthening mental/physical capacity and sustaining positive emotions to deal with the challenges both on the flight deck and in everyday life.HIGHLIGHTSPilots have suffered from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic across many factors including social, economic, mental, physical, emotional, and operational issuesBiofeedback training can increase commercial pilots' resilience by moderating psychophysiological coherence, strengthening mental and physical capacitySelf-regulated practicing QCT to form a habitual behaviour is required to sustain the maximum benefits either in the flight or day-to-day lifeQCT is an effective intervention for aviation authorities and airline operators to develop peer support programs to increase pilots' fatigue resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chin Li
- Safety and Accident Investigation Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- Safety and Accident Investigation Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Graham Braithwaite
- Safety and Accident Investigation Centre, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK
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Habibi Asgarabad M, Etesam F, Salehi Yegaei P, Vahabi Z, Akbari Saneh N, Fathi F, Ghosi F, Wiium N. Construct validity of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in patients with COVID-19 and its demographic and medical correlates. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1132154. [PMID: 37342638 PMCID: PMC10277699 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1132154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The present cross sectional study aimed to evaluate the construct and criterion validity, reliability, and gender and age differences of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in 2020. The criterion validity was assessed via its link with perceived stress, sleep quality, daily life activities, and demographic and medical characteristics. Methods A total of 328 COVID-19 patients (55.8% men; Mage = 50.49, SD = 14.96) completed the GHQ-12, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Activities of Daily Life (ADL)-Katz Scale, and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL). Results Among 13 factorial models, the three-factor model (successful coping, self-esteem, and stress) was shown to have the best fit. GHQ-12 was positively associated with PSQI, PSS, Hyperlipidemia, psychiatry disorders, hospitalization duration, the change in sleep time, and use of sleeping pills, and negatively correlated with educational level, and the number of family members. The GHQ-12 also had a negative correlation with ADL and IADL in over 60 years of age group. Females scored higher on total GHQ-12 scores, compared to males. Finally, the hospitalization duration was longer for patients over 60 (mean = 8.8 days, SD = 5.9) than patients under 60 (mean = 6.35 days, SD = 5.87). Discussion Overall, the findings provided evidence that mental distress in patients with COVID-19 is correlated with high perceived stress, low sleep quality, low ADL and IADL, and a range of demographic features and medical conditions. Designing psychological interventions for these patients that target the aforementioned correlates of mental distress is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Habibi Asgarabad
- Health Promotion Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Health Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Tehran Psychiatric Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Positive Youth Development Lab, Human Development and Family Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence in Cognitive Neuropsychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnaz Etesam
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Ziaeian Hospital, Tehran, Iran
- Psychosomatic Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pardis Salehi Yegaei
- Health Promotion Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Vahabi
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Ziaeian Hospital, Tehran, Iran
- Cognitive Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niusha Akbari Saneh
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Tehran Psychiatric Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Fathi
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghosi
- Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Al Zahra, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nora Wiium
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Minoretti P, Emanuele E. Health in the Skies: A Narrative Review of the Issues Faced by Commercial Airline Pilots. Cureus 2023; 15:e38000. [PMID: 37223152 PMCID: PMC10203747 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
While the health of airline pilots is crucial to ensuring the safe travel of millions of people worldwide, they remain vulnerable to a variety of health challenges due to the nature of their job. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most common health issues experienced by commercial airline pilots. By examining the published literature on this topic, we sought to identify areas where further research is needed to understand better the health risks associated with being a pilot and to develop effective interventions to address these risks. We also highlight how recent technological advances in digital health can be leveraged to conduct research into the potential usefulness of telehealth assessments for identifying occupational hazards in the aviation sector and providing targeted interventions. Overall, addressing the challenges of taking care of pilots' health and ensuring public safety will require a collaborative effort among airlines, governments, and regulators. Prioritizing pilot health and safety can actually improve profitability in the aviation sector by reducing costs associated with absenteeism, turnover, and accidents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enzo Emanuele
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 2E Science, Robbio, ITA
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Choi Y, Gibson JR. The effect of COVID-19 on self-reported safety incidents in aviation: An examination of the heterogeneous effects using causal machine learning. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2023; 84:393-403. [PMID: 36868668 PMCID: PMC9729650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Disruptions to aviation operations occur daily on a micro-level with negligible impacts beyond the inconvenience of rebooking and changing aircrew schedules. The unprecedented disruption in global aviation due to COVID-19 highlighted a need to evaluate emergent safety issues rapidly. METHOD This paper uses causal machine learning to examine the heterogeneous effects of COVID-19 on reported aircraft incursions/excursions. The analysis utilized self report data from NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System collected from 2018 to 2020. The report attributes include self identified group characteristics and expert categorization of factors and outcomes. The analysis identified attributes and subgroup characteristics that were most sensitive to COVID-19 in inducing incursions/excursions. The method included the generalized random forest and difference-in-difference techniques to explore causal effects. RESULTS The analysis indicates first officers are more prone to experiencing incursion/excursion events during the pandemic. In addition, events categorized with the human factors confusion, distraction, and the causal factor fatigue increased incursion/excursion events. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Understanding the attributes associated with the likelihood of incursion/excursion events provides policymakers and aviation organizations insights to improve prevention mechanisms for future pandemics or extended periods of reduced aviation operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngran Choi
- David B. O'Maley College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1 Aerospace Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL 32114, United States.
| | - James R Gibson
- College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1 Aerospace Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL 32114, United States.
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Ackland CA, Molesworth BRC, Grisham JR. Pilot mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence rates from semi-structured interviews, and associated vulnerability and protective factors. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1073857. [PMID: 37213374 PMCID: PMC10194658 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1073857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrie A. Ackland
- School of Aviation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett R. C. Molesworth
- School of Aviation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Brett R. C. Molesworth,
| | - Jessica R. Grisham
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Wooldridge AR, Carman EM, Xie A. Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) applications in responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned and considerations for methods. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2022; 102:103733. [PMID: 35272182 PMCID: PMC8898678 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE), with the goal to support humans through system design, can contribute to responses to emergencies and crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we describe three cases presented at the 21st Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association to demonstrate how HFE has been applied during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely to (1) develop a mobile diagnostic testing system, (2) understand the changes within physiotherapy services, and (3) guide the transition of a perioperative pain program to telemedicine. We reflect on methodological choices and lessons learned from each case and discuss opportunities to expand the impact of HFE in responses to future emergencies. The HFE discipline should develop faster, less resource intensive but still rigorous, methods, increase available HFE expertise by growing the field, and proactively enhance individual and public perception of the importance of HFE in crisis response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva-Maria Carman
- Trent Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
| | - Anping Xie
- Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Department Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
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Xu Q, Wu Y, Ji M, Wang M, Pan C, Ma J, You X. Proactive Coping and Mental Health Among Airline Pilots During China's Regular Prevention and Control of COVID-19: The Role of Perceived Stress and Social Support. Front Public Health 2022; 10:890145. [PMID: 35655460 PMCID: PMC9152254 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.890145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental health has always been a prominent public health concern, and it has become more important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mental health of airline pilots plays a significant role in their occupational health and overall performance. It is also vital for ensuring the safe operation of aircrafts. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the factors that may improve the mental health of pilots. This study investigates the relationship between proactive coping, perceived stress, social support, and mental health among airline pilots during China's regular prevention and control of COVID-19. Using a sample consisting of 285 Chinese commercial airline pilots, we tested a moderated mediation model to explore whether, how, and when proactive coping affects the mental health of pilots. The results show that proactive coping has a direct and positive effect on pilots' mental health, as well as an indirect effect on mental health through its influence on perceived stress. Social support was found to weaken the relationship between perceived stress and mental health. It also weakened the indirect relationship between proactive coping and mental health through perceived stress. These findings advance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that affect the mental health of pilots. It also provides empirical evidence for effective mental health interventions for airline pilots during regular prevention and control of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Xu
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, Xi'an, China
| | - Yaoliang Wu
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, Xi'an, China
| | - Ming Ji
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, Xi'an, China
| | - Mengyun Wang
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, Xi'an, China
| | - Chao Pan
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, Xi'an, China.,School of Computer Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Flight Department, China Eastern Airline Ltd. Anhui Branch, Hefei, China
| | - Xuqun You
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, Xi'an, China
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