Citation

Santilhano W, Bor R, Hewitt LMM. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors 2019; 9(2): 67-76.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019)

DOI

10.1027/2192-0923/a000163

PMID

unavailable

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. © 2019 Hogrefe Publishing.

Language: en

Keywords

well-being; occupational safety; aviation; peer support; lived experiences; pilots