AUTHOR=Fu Xi , Du Bingqian , Chen Qingsong , Norbäck Dan , Lindgren Torsten , Janson Christer , Runeson-Broberg Roma TITLE=Self-rated health (SRH), recovery from work, fatigue, and insomnia among commercial pilots concerning occupational and non-occupational factors JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=10 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1050776 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.1050776 ISSN=2296-2565 ABSTRACT=Background

This study investigated associations of self-rated health (SRH), recovery from work, fatigue, and insomnia with working conditions, the psychosocial work environment, lifestyle, and sense of coherence (SOC) among commercial pilots.

Methods

A standardized questionnaire was sent to all pilots in an airline company, of whom 354 (61%) responded. Associations were analyzed via ordinal and logistic regression with mutual adjustment.

Results

Overall, 21.8% of participants reported low SRH, 13.0% reported not recovering from work during their free time, 61.9% experienced fatigue, and 70.6% experienced insomnia symptoms. A high level of demand at work was associated with poor SRH and more fatigue, and low social support at work was associated with insomnia and poorer recovery from work. Habits surrounding exercise and BMI were associated with SRH. Part-time pilots and captains reported experiencing better recovery from work than their counterparts, while female pilots and younger pilots reported less fatigue. Amount of free time after work and the type of airplane operated were associated with experience of insomnia symptoms. Finally, having a strong sense of coherence was protectively associated with all health outcomes.

Conclusion

The psychosocial environment at work is essential for the health of pilots, and a strong sense of coherence can be protective. Occupational conditions may influence recovery from work, fatigue, and insomnia. Moreover, engaging in exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, working part-time, and having more free time after the working day could improve pilots' health.