POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER IN AIRPLANE CABIN CREW ATTENDANTS

Six cabin crew attendants who survived an airplane crash in which 47 p assengers were killed were assessed for posttraumatic stress disorder and other psychological problems, Each was interviewed 8 months after the crash and completed questionnaires measuring intrusive thoughts, a voidance, depressed mood, anxiety, and fear, Questionnaires were repea ted 10 months later. All six met DSM-III-R criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder, reported a wide range of symptoms, and developed a f ear of flying 8 months after the crash, Depression scores were normal 18 months after the crash, but all other measures remained unchanged, showing a continued high level of traumatic stress, Results point to t he potential for crash survivors to develop chronic psychological prob lems, The highest levels of distress were reported by the three most s enior members of staff with the most responsibility on board, who had also suffered the most severe physical injury, clinical implications o f the results are discussed, and the need for predisaster training of cabin crew and postdisaster treatment is emphasized.