TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - The Role of Peer Support and Its Contribution as an Effective Response to Addressing the Emotional Well-Being of Pilots: A Qualitative Study of South African Stakeholders
JO  - Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors
A1  - Santilhano, W.
A1  - Bor, R.
A1  - Hewitt, L.M.M.
SP  - 67
EP  - 76
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
N2  - The provision of pilot peer support in commercial aviation is a recent recommendation following the Germanwings pilot suicide?murder crash in 2015. Conducted in a South African aviation context, this study explored the phenomenon of peer support and its role and contribution as an effective response to addressing the emotional well-being of pilots. A qualitative phenomenological research design was followed using Rubin and Rubin?s in-depth, semi-structured interview technique to understand lived experiences of peer support. Nine interviews were held, six with airline pilots - a combination of peers and flight operations managers - and three with mental health professionals (MHPs). Braun and Clarke?s thematic analysis (TA) method elicited themes in relation to peer support and the mental health and well-being of pilots. Four themes emerged relating to (a) the conceptualization of peer support, the role of the peer, and the principles on which the process is founded; (b) pilots? experience of their workplace as emotionally "unsafe" and deficient in acknowledging the nature of different emotional stressors; (c) the well-being of pilots and medical certification of fitness for duty; and (d) the multidimensional contribution of peer support and factors critical to integrating successful and sustainable peer support. This study underscores the importance of developing a more integrated definition of safety in aviation that incorporates supporting the mental health and well-being of pilots. This paper addresses the role and contribution of peer support and considers some of the challenges to its integration as a safety initiative. © 2019 Hogrefe Publishing.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2192-0923
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000163
ID  - ref1
ER  -