Psychiatric syndromes associated with problems in aeronautical adaptation among military student pilots

We identified syndromes based upon prominent psychiatric symptom patterns exhibited by military student pilots with problems in aeronautical adaptation, and evaluated their relationship to subject variables and eventual completion of flight training.

Two aeromedical psychologists retrospectively reviewed consecutive student pilot referrals to the mental health clinic at the U.S. Army Aviation Training Center at Fort Rucker, AL. Data on completion of flight training was later obtained.

We identified 99 cases manifesting symptomatology associated with difficulty establishing aeronautical adaptation. Prominent syndromes (and prevalence) were: Anxiety (26%); Marital Conflict (22%); Somatization (15%); Depression (13%); Phobic Reactions (12%); and Misconduct (11%). Phobic reactions presented earlier in training, whereas marital conflicts were more prominent later in training. All phobic students were eliminated from training; 45% of all others completed training. Completion was significantly more likely for students with Anxiety and Marital Conflicts that manifested after primary flight training.

The identification of discrete syndromes with differing outcomes highlights the need for early identification and classification of student pilots with psychiatric symptoms reflecting difficulty in aeronautical adaptation.