A qualitative study on aviophobia and coping strategies

Fear of flying, or aviophobia, is one of the most prevalent phobias, affecting approximately 3 to 5% of the population. Although air travel has become significantly safer, fear of flying continues to impact individuals' social, professional, and personal lives, often leading to avoidance behaviors and significant distress. This qualitative study explores the causes, triggers, and coping strategies associated with fear of flying, focusing on participants from Türkiye.

Through semi-structured interviews with 20 individuals with self-reported fear of flying, conducted between June 2024 and February 2025, the study identifies key factors associated with the fear of flying, including psychological factors (e.g., anxiety disorders, claustrophobia), negative flight-related experiences (e.g., turbulence, media coverage of crashes), cognitive factors (e.g., catastrophic thinking), environmental and social influences (e.g., learned behaviors, media exposure), physiological responses (e.g., sweating, palpitations), and cultural contexts. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and data collection continued until thematic saturation was achieved.

The findings reveal that turbulence, fear of enclosed spaces, and media portrayals of aviation accidents are significant triggers. Coping strategies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and spiritual methods (e.g., praying) are commonly employed to manage flight anxiety. The study also highlights the role of social media in relation to fear of flying, as exposure to negative aviation content is associated with increased anxiety and avoidance behaviors. Despite the availability of professional support and airline-sponsored programs, many participants reported a notable underutilization of these resources.

The study concludes that a multifaceted approach, combining psychological interventions, education, and culturally sensitive treatments, may be important for addressing fear of flying. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on fear of flying and provide insights for developing targeted interventions to help individuals overcome their fear of flying.