The Role of Peer Support and Its Contribution as an Effective Response to Addressing the Emotional Well-Being of Pilots

Abstract

Abstract. The provision of pilot peer support in commercial aviation is a recent recommendation following the Germanwings pilot suicide–murder crash in 2015. Conducted in a South African aviation context, this study explored the phenomenon of peer support and its role and contribution as an effective response to addressing the emotional well-being of pilots. A qualitative phenomenological research design was followed using Rubin and Rubin’s in-depth, semi-structured interview technique to understand lived experiences of peer support. Nine interviews were held, six with airline pilots – a combination of peers and flight operations managers – and three with mental health professionals (MHPs). Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis (TA) method elicited themes in relation to peer support and the mental health and well-being of pilots. Four themes emerged relating to (a) the conceptualization of peer support, the role of the peer, and the principles on which the process is founded; (b) pilots’ experience of their workplace as emotionally “unsafe” and deficient in acknowledging the nature of different emotional stressors; (c) the well-being of pilots and medical certification of fitness for duty; and (d) the multidimensional contribution of peer support and factors critical to integrating successful and sustainable peer support. This study underscores the importance of developing a more integrated definition of safety in aviation that incorporates supporting the mental health and well-being of pilots. This paper addresses the role and contribution of peer support and considers some of the challenges to its integration as a safety initiative.

Mental health implications for aviators from COVID-19

“… [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] Pilot peer support programs were viewed positively as a means to deliver pilot emotional support. [18] , [19] , [20] …”

“…[12] , [13] For professional pilots who are in distress, a “first step” that is widely regarded as helpful is reaching out to a pilot peer support network. [18] , [19] , [20] These peer pilot volunteers are trained to provide emotional support and deliver helpful guidance on how the pilot may access additional counseling or mental health treatment.…”

Flying high: pilot peer coaching to champion well-being and mitigate hazardous attitudes

“…Such attributes can make it difficult to reconnect with their emotions (ibid). Further, the perfectionist trait in pilots (Santilhano, 2018) can make WRS significantly worse, as they can tend towards self-criticism, internalising guilt and self-blame which can trigger depression or mental illness (Catino and Patriotta, 2013).…”

“…There have been growing concerns regarding mental health and well-being in aviation policy that give little consideration to either operational or occupational stressors that impact on WRS (Santilhano, 2018). Calls have been made for greater clarity in the terminology and guidelines used to assess and monitor mental health and well-being in relation to "fitness for duty" (ICAO, 2016), with suggestions that such test-based certification is considered intrusive, excessive, rudimentary and subjective (Bor and Hubbard, 2006).…”

“…There have been calls for more research into PC, both in providing greater understanding within the broader field of coaching (Hagen et al , 2017) and relating to processes and models (Kowalski and Casper, 2007), as well as how it can promote work-based mental well-being (MW), performance and safety (Santilhano, 2018).…”