Exploring Mental Health Disorders Among Air Traffic Controllers
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Abstract
Air traffic control facilities nationwide are at approximately 81% staffing, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considers a critical shortage (Duncan, 2023; Shepardson, 2023). Despite staffing shortages, air traffic control remains a safety-critical environment where controllers must continue to perform while shouldering intensive cognitive demands and high levels of responsibility (Imroz et al., 2022; Maxwell, 1986; Raduntz et al., 2021). With studies showing that high stress levels, shift work, long hours, and inadequate recovery time can result in mental health disorders, the mental health status of air traffic controllers should be evaluated to ensure the continued safety of the National Airspace System (Ericsson et al., 2021; Lee & Park, 2022; Skypalova et al., 2022). A lack of research exists related to controller mental health disorders; the current quantitative study aims to fill the gap in recent research and provide possible recommendations for improving controller mental health and reducing controller attrition rates.
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References
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