title: Symptoms of psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder in United States Air Force "drone" operators.
abstract: The goal of this study is to repeat a survey administered in 2010 to assess for changes in mental health among United States Air Force aircrew operating Predator/Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, also commonly referred to as "drones." Participants were assessed for self-reported sources of occupational stress, levels of clinical distress using the Outcome Questionnaire-45.2, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using the PTSD Checklist-Military Version. A total of 1,094 aircrew responded to the web-based survey composed of the commercially available standardized instruments mentioned above. The survey also contained nonstandardized items asking participants to report the main sources of their occupational stress, as well as questions addressing demographics and work-related characteristics. The estimated response rate to the survey was 49%. Study results reveal the most problematic self-reported stressors are operational: low manning, extra duties/administrative tasks, rotating shift work, and long hours. The results also reveal 10.72% of operators self-reported experiencing high levels of distress and 1.57% reported high levels of PTSD symptomology. The results are lower than findings from the 2010 survey and from soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Implications of the study and recommendations for United States Air Force line leadership and mental health providers are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatry Branch, Aerospace Medicine Consultation Division, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, 2510 Fifth Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433.
authors.forename: Wayne L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chappelle
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatry Branch, Aerospace Medicine Consultation Division, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, 2510 Fifth Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433.
authors.forename: Kent D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Prince Research and Analytic Solutions, 9 Kingsley Court, Stafford, VA 22554.
authors.forename: Lillian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prince
authors.affiliation: Neurostat Analytical Solutions, 540 Sonterra Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258.
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.affiliation: Neurostat Analytical Solutions, 540 Sonterra Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258.
authors.forename: Bobbie N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Ray-Sannerud
authors.affiliation: Neurostat Analytical Solutions, 540 Sonterra Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000401:Aircraft; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012371:Robotics; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D054041:Weapons; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000523:psychology; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult