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

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 2 Sayı: 2, 70 - 79, 21.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.26650/hfaa.2025.1780476

Öz

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.

Etik Beyan

The study protocol received ethical approval from the Özyeğin University’s Human Research Ethics Board (2025/03/03)

Destekleyen Kurum

NIL

Teşekkür

The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the airline pilots who participated with outstanding professionalism.

Kaynakça

  • Cahill, J., Cullen, P., Anwer, S., Wilson, S. & Gaynor, K. (2021). Pilot Work Related Stress (WRS), Effects on Wellbeing and Mental Health, and Coping Methods. International Journal of Aerospace Psychology, 31(2), 87–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/24721840.2020.1858714 google scholar
  • Çeken, S. & Tuncal, A. (2025). The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Job Performance Among Air Traffic Controllers: The Role of Decision-Making. Istanbul Management Journal, 98, 76–91. https://doi.org/10.26650/imj.2025.98 google scholar
  • Chang, K. Y., Chang, W. H. & Yeh, Y. C. (2024). The Effect of Role Stress and Emotional Exhaustion on Well-being Among Pilots: The Moderating Effect of Leisure Participation. International Journal of Aerospace Psychology, 34(2), 59–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 24721840.2023.2242382 google scholar
  • Chen, Y., Chen, R., Li, J., Lei, H. & Yang, Y. (2025). Workplace mindfulness and clinical belongingness among nursing interns: The mediating role of subjective well-being. Nurse Education Today, 154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106853 google scholar
  • Dahl, Ø. & Kongsvik, T. (2018). Safety climate and mindful safety practices in the oil and gas industry. Journal of Safety Research, 64, 29– 36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2017.12.009 google scholar
  • Darses, F., Bernier, M., Berthelot, V., Fornette, M. P., Launay, Y., Dozias, B., Chastres, V. & Fournier, J. (2023). Effects of mindfulness training on decision-making in critical and high-demand situations: A pilot study in combat aviation. Safety Science, 166. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ssci.2023.106204 google scholar
  • Dehoff, M. C., Cusick, S. K. & Dehoff, M. C. (2018). Mental Health in Commercial Aviation - Depression & Anxiety of Pilots. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 5(5), 1–6. https://commons.erau.edu/ijaaa/vol5/iss 5/5 google scholar
  • Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Biswas-Diener, R., Tov, W., Prieto-Kim, C., Choi, D. & Oishi, S. (2009). New measures of well-being. In E. Diener (Ed.), Assessing Well-Being. Social Indicators Research Series (Vol. 39, pp. 247–266). Springer Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2354-4 google scholar
  • Feldman, G., Hayes, A., Kumar, S., Greeson, J. & Laurenceau, J. P. (2007). Mindfulness and emotion regulation: The development and initial validation of the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R). Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 29(3), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-006-9035-8 google scholar
  • Fornette, M. P., Bardel, M. H., Lefrançois, C., Fradin, J., Massioui, F. El & Amalberti, R. (2012). Cognitive-Adaptation Training for Improving Performance and Stress Management of Air Force Pilots. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 22(3), 203–223. https://doi. org/10.1080/10508414.2012.689208 google scholar
  • George, D. & Mallery, P. (2019). IBM SPSS Statistics 26 Step by Step (16th ed.). Routledge. google scholar
  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Constructivism in the Human Sciences, 8(2), 73–83. google scholar
  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2005). Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. Balance. google scholar
  • Kilic, B. & Ucler, C. (2019). Stress among ab-initio pilots: A model of contributing factors by AHP. Journal of Air Transport Management, 80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2019.101706 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal. (2019). HFACS Analysis for Investigating Human Errors in Flight Training Accidents. Journal of Aviation, 3(1), 28–37. https:// doi.org/10.30518/jav.553315 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal. (2021). Fatigue Among Student Pilots. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 92(1), 20–24. https://doi.org/10.3357/ AMHP.5631.2021 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal. (2022). Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental States of Airline Pilots in Turkey. Journal of Aviation, 6(1), 50–54. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1015567 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal. (2024). Aircraft Accident Investigation: Learning from Human and Organizational Factors (3rd ed.). Ama-zonKDP. https://books.google.com.tr/books?hl=tr&lr=&id=iCEzEQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT29&ots=uUuXz0Gyp_&sig=-VP3YbRIMW0 TSkneep-FfPsGBeo&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal & Gumus, E. (2020). Application of HFACS to the Nighttime Aviation Accidents and Incidents. Journal of Aviation, 4(2), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.740590 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal & Tabak, M. (2022). The mental health of ab-initio pilots during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 3(1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.55212/ijaa.1071166 google scholar
  • Li, Y., Chen, H., Xin, X. & Ji, M. (2020). The influence of mindfulness on mental state with regard to safety among civil pilots. Journal of Air Transport Management, 84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2020.101768 google scholar
  • Özer, K. & Küçük, Z. (2024). The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Mindfulness Level and Perceived Stress Level in Pilots. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace, 1(1), 20–41. https://doi.org/10.26650/hfaa.2024.1470309 google scholar
  • Ozturk, Y. E. (2020). Burnout syndrome of airline crews during crisis and Covid 19 in the world and Turkey. International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), 2(4), 36–42. https://doi.org/10.36096/ijbes.v2i4.232 google scholar
  • Pasha, T. & Stokes, P. R. A. (2018). Reflecting on the Germanwings disaster: A systematic review of depression and suicide in commercial airline pilots. In Frontiers in Psychiatry (Vol. 9, Issue MAR). Frontiers Media S.A. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00086 google scholar
  • Salas-Vallina, A., Alegre, J. & Fernández Guerrero, R. (2018). Happiness at work in knowledge-intensive contexts: Opening the research agenda. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 24(3), 149–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2018.05.003 google scholar
  • Siegel, R. D., Germer, C. K. & Olendzki, A. (2009). Mindfulness: What Is It? Where Did It Come From? In Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness (pp. 17–35). Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09593-6_2 google scholar
  • Tabachnick, B. G. & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using Multivariate Statistics (6th ed.). Pearson. google scholar
  • Vuorio, A., Laukkala, T., Navathe, P., Budowle, B., Bor, R. & Sajantila, A. (2017). Bipolar disorder in aviation medicine. In Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance (Vol. 88, Issue 1, pp. 42–47). Aerospace Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.4620.2017 google scholar
  • Zhang, J., Ding, W., Li, Y. & Wu, C. (2013). Task complexity matters: The influence of trait mindfulness on task and safety performance of nuclear power plant operators. Personality and Individual Differences, 55(4), 433–439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.04.004 google scholar

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

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 2 Sayı: 2, 70 - 79, 21.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.26650/hfaa.2025.1780476

Öz

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.

Kaynakça

  • Cahill, J., Cullen, P., Anwer, S., Wilson, S. & Gaynor, K. (2021). Pilot Work Related Stress (WRS), Effects on Wellbeing and Mental Health, and Coping Methods. International Journal of Aerospace Psychology, 31(2), 87–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/24721840.2020.1858714 google scholar
  • Çeken, S. & Tuncal, A. (2025). The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Job Performance Among Air Traffic Controllers: The Role of Decision-Making. Istanbul Management Journal, 98, 76–91. https://doi.org/10.26650/imj.2025.98 google scholar
  • Chang, K. Y., Chang, W. H. & Yeh, Y. C. (2024). The Effect of Role Stress and Emotional Exhaustion on Well-being Among Pilots: The Moderating Effect of Leisure Participation. International Journal of Aerospace Psychology, 34(2), 59–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 24721840.2023.2242382 google scholar
  • Chen, Y., Chen, R., Li, J., Lei, H. & Yang, Y. (2025). Workplace mindfulness and clinical belongingness among nursing interns: The mediating role of subjective well-being. Nurse Education Today, 154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106853 google scholar
  • Dahl, Ø. & Kongsvik, T. (2018). Safety climate and mindful safety practices in the oil and gas industry. Journal of Safety Research, 64, 29– 36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2017.12.009 google scholar
  • Darses, F., Bernier, M., Berthelot, V., Fornette, M. P., Launay, Y., Dozias, B., Chastres, V. & Fournier, J. (2023). Effects of mindfulness training on decision-making in critical and high-demand situations: A pilot study in combat aviation. Safety Science, 166. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ssci.2023.106204 google scholar
  • Dehoff, M. C., Cusick, S. K. & Dehoff, M. C. (2018). Mental Health in Commercial Aviation - Depression & Anxiety of Pilots. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 5(5), 1–6. https://commons.erau.edu/ijaaa/vol5/iss 5/5 google scholar
  • Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Biswas-Diener, R., Tov, W., Prieto-Kim, C., Choi, D. & Oishi, S. (2009). New measures of well-being. In E. Diener (Ed.), Assessing Well-Being. Social Indicators Research Series (Vol. 39, pp. 247–266). Springer Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2354-4 google scholar
  • Feldman, G., Hayes, A., Kumar, S., Greeson, J. & Laurenceau, J. P. (2007). Mindfulness and emotion regulation: The development and initial validation of the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R). Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 29(3), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-006-9035-8 google scholar
  • Fornette, M. P., Bardel, M. H., Lefrançois, C., Fradin, J., Massioui, F. El & Amalberti, R. (2012). Cognitive-Adaptation Training for Improving Performance and Stress Management of Air Force Pilots. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 22(3), 203–223. https://doi. org/10.1080/10508414.2012.689208 google scholar
  • George, D. & Mallery, P. (2019). IBM SPSS Statistics 26 Step by Step (16th ed.). Routledge. google scholar
  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Constructivism in the Human Sciences, 8(2), 73–83. google scholar
  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2005). Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. Balance. google scholar
  • Kilic, B. & Ucler, C. (2019). Stress among ab-initio pilots: A model of contributing factors by AHP. Journal of Air Transport Management, 80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2019.101706 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal. (2019). HFACS Analysis for Investigating Human Errors in Flight Training Accidents. Journal of Aviation, 3(1), 28–37. https:// doi.org/10.30518/jav.553315 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal. (2021). Fatigue Among Student Pilots. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 92(1), 20–24. https://doi.org/10.3357/ AMHP.5631.2021 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal. (2022). Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental States of Airline Pilots in Turkey. Journal of Aviation, 6(1), 50–54. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1015567 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal. (2024). Aircraft Accident Investigation: Learning from Human and Organizational Factors (3rd ed.). Ama-zonKDP. https://books.google.com.tr/books?hl=tr&lr=&id=iCEzEQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT29&ots=uUuXz0Gyp_&sig=-VP3YbRIMW0 TSkneep-FfPsGBeo&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal & Gumus, E. (2020). Application of HFACS to the Nighttime Aviation Accidents and Incidents. Journal of Aviation, 4(2), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.740590 google scholar
  • Kilic, Bilal & Tabak, M. (2022). The mental health of ab-initio pilots during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 3(1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.55212/ijaa.1071166 google scholar
  • Li, Y., Chen, H., Xin, X. & Ji, M. (2020). The influence of mindfulness on mental state with regard to safety among civil pilots. Journal of Air Transport Management, 84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2020.101768 google scholar
  • Özer, K. & Küçük, Z. (2024). The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Mindfulness Level and Perceived Stress Level in Pilots. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace, 1(1), 20–41. https://doi.org/10.26650/hfaa.2024.1470309 google scholar
  • Ozturk, Y. E. (2020). Burnout syndrome of airline crews during crisis and Covid 19 in the world and Turkey. International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), 2(4), 36–42. https://doi.org/10.36096/ijbes.v2i4.232 google scholar
  • Pasha, T. & Stokes, P. R. A. (2018). Reflecting on the Germanwings disaster: A systematic review of depression and suicide in commercial airline pilots. In Frontiers in Psychiatry (Vol. 9, Issue MAR). Frontiers Media S.A. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00086 google scholar
  • Salas-Vallina, A., Alegre, J. & Fernández Guerrero, R. (2018). Happiness at work in knowledge-intensive contexts: Opening the research agenda. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 24(3), 149–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2018.05.003 google scholar
  • Siegel, R. D., Germer, C. K. & Olendzki, A. (2009). Mindfulness: What Is It? Where Did It Come From? In Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness (pp. 17–35). Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09593-6_2 google scholar
  • Tabachnick, B. G. & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using Multivariate Statistics (6th ed.). Pearson. google scholar
  • Vuorio, A., Laukkala, T., Navathe, P., Budowle, B., Bor, R. & Sajantila, A. (2017). Bipolar disorder in aviation medicine. In Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance (Vol. 88, Issue 1, pp. 42–47). Aerospace Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.4620.2017 google scholar
  • Zhang, J., Ding, W., Li, Y. & Wu, C. (2013). Task complexity matters: The influence of trait mindfulness on task and safety performance of nuclear power plant operators. Personality and Individual Differences, 55(4), 433–439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.04.004 google scholar
Toplam 29 adet kaynakça vardır.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil İngilizce
Konular Biyolojik Psikoloji (Diğer)
Bölüm Araştırma Makalesi
Yazarlar

Gizem Kara Arseven 0000-0003-4441-0530

Bilal Kılıç 0000-0002-3773-6682

Gönderilme Tarihi 14 Eylül 2025
Kabul Tarihi 8 Ekim 2025
Yayımlanma Tarihi 21 Ekim 2025
Yayımlandığı Sayı Yıl 2025 Cilt: 2 Sayı: 2

Kaynak Göster

APA Kara Arseven, G., & Kılıç, B. (2025). Mindfulness and Mental Health in the Flight Deck: A Study of Airline Pilots. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace, 2(2), 70-79. https://doi.org/10.26650/hfaa.2025.1780476