Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-18T08:38:52.704Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Emotional Consequences of Ejection, Rescue and Rehabilitation in Royal Air Force Aircrew

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

D. G. Fowlie  and
M. O. Aveline
D. G. Fowlie*
Affiliation:
Kingseat Hospital, Newmachar, Aberdeenshire; RAF Out-Patient Department, Nocton Hall, Nocton, Lincoln LN4 2AA
M. O. Aveline
Affiliation:
Nottingham Psychotherapy Unit, St Ann's Hospital, Porchester Road, Nottingham NG3 6LF
*
∗Correspondence
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Retrospective questionnaire information was sought from 175 Royal Air Force officers who had survived ejection from an aircraft and 88% replied. A profile of risk factors, both objective and subjective, was found in the 40% who subsequently experienced prolonged emotional disturbances. Confidential counselling of ejection survivors should therefore be routine. Consultation between involved medical staff and a Service psychiatrist can increase awareness that surviving aircrew may not be as composed and unaffected as they seem, while appropriate counselling can reduce prolonged emotional morbidity.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 146 , Issue 6 , June 1985 , pp. 609 - 613
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aitken, R. C. B. (1972) A study of anxiety assessment in aircrew. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2, 44–51.Google Scholar
Cobb, S. & Lindemann, E. (1943) Neuropsychiatrie observations after the Coconut Grove fire. Annals of Surgery, 117, 814–824.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Daly, R. J. (1983) Samuel Pepys and post-traumatic stress disorder. British Journal of Psychiatry, 143, 64–68.Google Scholar
Gerbert, K. & Oberholz, H. (1973) Fear of flying and its treatment. Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development, CP-133, B2-1-6.Google Scholar
Goorney, A. B. & O'Connor, P. J. (1971) Anxiety associated with flying—A retrospective survey of military aircrew psychiatric casualties. British Journal of Psychiatry, 119, 159–166.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jewell, J. (1979) Engineering for Life. Oxford: Cotswold Press.Google Scholar
Jones, D. R. (1982) Emotional reactions to military aircraft accidents. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 53, 595–598.Google Scholar
O'Connor, P. J. & Lister, J. A. (1973) Results of behaviour therapy in flying phobia. Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development, CP-133, B3-1-3.Google Scholar
Paykel, E. S. (1974) Life Stress and Psychiatric Disorder: Applications of the Clinical Approach. New York: John Wiley.Google Scholar
Steinbacher, C. B. & Perry, C. J. G. (1976) Psychotherapy and return to flying duties. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 47, 770–772.Google ScholarPubMed
Trimble, M. R. (1981) Post-Traumatic Neurosis. Chichester: John Wiley.Google Scholar
Zeller, A. F. (1973) Psychological aspects of aircrews involved in escape and evasion activities. Aerospace Medicine, 44, 956–960.Google ScholarPubMed
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.