Mindfulness and Mental Health in the Flight Deck: A Study of Airline Pilots

Abstract

Mindfulness has been extensively associated with improved cognitive and emotional regulation, both of which are critical to maintaining aviation safety. This research article aims to examine the relationship between mindfulness, psychological well-being, and mental health among commercial airline pilots. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has been no prior study examining mindfulness, psychological well-being, and mental health among airline pilots in Türkiye. As a cross sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from airline pilots. A total of 99 airline pilots participated in the study, completing standardized measures including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R), and the Flourishing Scale. The response rate was %19.8. Through empirical analysis, the study investigates the correlations between mindfulness, well-being, and mental health outcomes. The results demonstrate significant negative associations between mindfulness and mental health challenges (depression, anxiety, and stress), as well as a strong positive correlation between mindfulness and psychological well-being. These findings underscore the potential value of integrating mindfulness-based practices and well-being interventions into aviation safety and mental health programs for flight crew members. The findings reported in this study may contribute to enhancing aviation safety practices.

Keywords

• mindfulness
• mental state
• psychological well-being
• airline pilots
• flight safety

Kokpit Ortamında Farkındalık ve Mental Sağlık: Hava Yolu Pilotları Üzerine Bir Araştırma

Abstract

Farkındalık, bilişsel ve duygusal düzenleme becerilerinin geliştirilmesiyle geniş ölçüde ilişkilendirilmiş olup, bu beceriler havacılık emniyetinin sürdürülmesinde kritik bir rol oynamaktadır. Bu araştırma makalesi, ticari havayolu pilotları arasında farkındalık, psikolojik iyi oluş ve ruh sağlığı arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yazarların bilgisi dâhilinde, Türkiye’de havayolu pilotları arasında farkındalık, psikolojik iyi oluş ve ruh sağlığını inceleyen daha önce yapılmış bir çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Bu kesitsel araştırmada, havayolu pilotlarından veri toplamak amacıyla öz-bildirim esasına dayanan bir anket yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Çalışmaya toplam 99 pilot katılmış ve Depresyon Anksiyete Stres Ölçeği (DASS-21), Bilişsel ve Duygusal Farkındalık Ölçeği–Gözden Geçirilmiş (CAMS-R) ile Psikolojik iyi oluş Ölçeği’ni doldurmuştur. Yanıt oranı %19,8 olarak gerçekleşmiştir. Ampirik analiz yoluyla, farkındalık ile iyi oluş ve mental sağlık çıktıları arasındaki ilişkiler araştırılmıştır. Sonuçlar, farkındalık ile mental sağlık sorunları (depresyon, anksiyete ve stres) arasında anlamlı düzeyde olumsuz korelasyon, farkındalık ile psikolojik iyi oluş arasında ise güçlü bir olumlu korelasyon olduğunu göstermektedir. Bulgular, pilotlar için havacılık emniyeti ve mental sağlık programlarına farkındalık temelli uygulamaların ve iyi oluş müdahalelerinin entegre edilmesinin potansiyel değerini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu çalışmada sunulan bulgular, havacılık emniyeti uygulamalarının geliştirilmesine katkı sağlayabilir.

Keywords

• farkındalık
• mental durum
• psikolojik iyi oluş
• havayolu pilotları
• uçuş emniyeti

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