Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access

Remote warfare but real stress: Workplace stressors of drone pilots

3^rd International Conference on Clinical and Counseling Psychology

August 20-21, 2018 Singapore

Kenneth Wee Zong Hao

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Psychol Psychother

Abstract :

Modern military aviation is progressively undertaken by remotely piloted aircrafts (i.e. drones). While there has been a plethora of military research that illustrates the workplace stressors faced by manned aircraft pilots and other military professionals, research on drone pilots has been relatively scarce. Given that drone pilots face circumstances of extended operations, perpetual deployment, frequent shift changes and daily transitions between household and operational demands, it is thus unsurprising that they might be at a risk of fatigue and mental health issues. A review of current literature revealed that although drone pilots experience combat far from their intended targets, they still face mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder at similar incidence rates as those of manned aircraft pilots. While engagement in warfare does not seem to be a significant contributing factor to workplace stress, other factors such as inadequate manpower staffing, long hours and additional administrative duties predicted a greater likelihood of mental health problems. Such stressors could be argued to stem from a main factor of a lack of combat compartmentalization, in which drone pilots are expected to continuously juggle operational and household demands. The findings highlight the need to understand the workplace stressors that drone pilots face and to recognize that drone pilots possess a similar mental health risk as manned aircraft pilots. Given the unique workplace demands exacted on drone pilots, further research is needed to inform the clinical interventions that might be the best benefit to drone pilots with mental health issues.

Biography :

Kenneth Wee Zong Hao has pursued his graduation degree in Psychology from Nanyang Technological University. He is currently working as a Human Resources Consultant. He was a Psychologist with the Republic of Singapore Air Force for more than two years, where he rendered counseling, performance coaching and organizational consulting services to airmen.

E-mail: kenneth.weezh@gmail.com