STRESS IN AIR-FORCE AVIATORS FACING THE COMBAT ENVIRONMENT

Background: This paper evaluates the effect of stress on four squadron s of United States Air Force aviators in tactical high performance air craft deployed for combat operations compared with U.S. based aircrew using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) as the evaluating instrument . Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study consisting of 42 aviators in deployed squadrons stationed overseas and involved in a contingency mission, and 15 subjects stationed in the U.S. and not e xposed to combat conditions. Each subject was administered the test in strument, which was completed in privacy and with complete anonymity. Results: The hypotheses of interest were: a) the proportion of individ uals in the population of fighter aircrew who would report excessive s tress is 0; and b) no significant differences would exist in the propo rtion of individuals with excessive stress in the various squadrons. U sing statistical methodology, these hypotheses were rejected. Conclusi on: It is concluded that more studies in each given circumstance are n ecessary.