The correlation between mindfulness traits and fatigue among Chinese civil aviation pilots

Abstract

The problem of flight crew fatigue has always been a hot topic in aviation safety management. Few studies have investigated the actual fatigue of civil aviation pilots. More importantly, the rate at which pilot fatigue accumulates over time at work and alleviates over time at rest may be influenced by individual differences, particularly by individual psychological traits. The characteristics of mindfulness may be one of the internal factors of individual differences in fatigue. To explore the relationship between mindful traits and fatigue in civil aviation pilots, 393 pilots were recruited and completed an online questionnaire. The results showed that no significant differences in mindfulness and fatigue was found among pilots in different positions. There was a significant negative correlation between mindfulness trait and all dimensions of fatigue. Specifically, the stronger the mindfulness trait, the weaker the impact of circadian rhythm, sleep and workload on fatigue. Pilots with high mindfulness also reported lower levels of subjective fatigue. This suggests that the enhancement of mindful traits may help reduce the pilots' perception of fatigue. Mindfulness intervention may be a psychological measure to relieve flight fatigue.