Psychophysical stress and strain of maritime pilots in Germany. A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction Maritime pilots work in an irregular deployment system (rotation system) with unpredictable work assignments under high levels of physical and mental stress. Fatigue or chronic diseases, e.g. coronary heart disease, peptic ulcers or gastritis can occur as a consequence. This can lead to long-term limitations of pilots’ work ability. The aim of this study is to analyse current stress and strain in maritime pilots. Methods Initially, all German pilots were interviewed with an online questionnaire about their living and working situation (response rate 43%). Subsequently, a medical and psychological examination of a random sample was carried out with pilots working in a 4-month rotation system compared with those working in a 1-week system. Most of the measurements took place at the beginning and the end of continuous work assignments each lasting several weeks (pre vs post-rotation). The questionnaires RESTQ-work 27, Resilience Scale RS-13 and Berlin Questionnaire were used as well as a sleeping diary. Furthermore, cardiovascular parameters (during rest and under ergometric stress), activity and blood parameters, urine stress hormones, and the pupillary unrest index were surveyed. Results 60 pilots were recorded with an average age of 48.7 years (SD 8.3 years). Among the parameters collected, there were no significant differences between pre and post-rotation examinations. Pilots with a 4-month rotation system experienced a much higher subjective strain level in RESTQ work-27 (OR 10.12 (95% CI 1.21–84.59)). According to the sleep diaries of the pilots working in a 4-month rotation system, reduced levels were found concerning the pre and post-rotation subjective performance level (p = 0.042 and 0.029), subjective sleep duration (p = 0.032) and current subjective feeling post-rotation (p = 0.036). Objectively measured arterial hypertension was significantly more frequent among pilots working 4 months at a time (OR 21.41 (95% CI 1.26–364.05)). In addition, elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid were more common among this group of pilots (p = 0.038, p = 0.033 and p = 0.038). In particular, the risk of hypertriglyceridemia was increased (OR 4.41 (95% CI 1.15–16.91)). Discussion Maritime pilotage represents a very straining profession that has been studied very little up to this point. The present results indicate that 4-month rotation systems lead to higher levels of subjective and objective strain than 1-week rotation systems. Interventions are therefore recommended; especially a change in the rotation system should be considered.

Mental health and psychological wellbeing of maritime personnel: a systematic review

“…Maritime pilots on a four-month rotation system rated their subjective strain as ten times higher than those on one-week rotation systems, and reported more tiredness and more daytime sleepiness between pre- and post-rotation [ 70 ]. Incomplete recovery in between work shifts was positively associated with chronic fatigue [ 67 ].…”

Prevalence of Bruxism and Associated Occupational Stress in Saudi Arabian Fighter Pilots

“…The Job Demand–Control model is also used to assess the relationship between psychological job demand and general fatigue, as well as reduced activity. 28 Therefore, occupational stress should not be ignored, due to its association with poor health and fatigue.…”

“…12 , 13 , 17 , 18 Negative consequences of stress have been observed also among certain other categories of pilots. Bauer et al, 27 studied the effect of occupational stress on helicopter emergency service pilots from four European countries while Barbarewicz et al, 28 investigated psychophysical stress among maritime pilots in Germany. In both studies, the side effects of occupational stress included general health and psychological problems including clenching of teeth and possible bruxism.…”

Work profile of maritime pilots in Germany

“…Furthermore, an unhealthy lifestyle is discussed as major risk factor among pilots. A former study revealed that this occupational group compared to the general population is more likely to exhibit overweight, smoking, high lipid serum levels, lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating habits [13].…”

“…Development of ship sizes of container vessels between the late 1990s and 2020. The biggest representatives after: Research-Information-System for Mobility and Traffic[13] …”