Wayne Chappelle

Assessment of Occupational Burnout in United States Air Force Predator/Reaper “Drone” Operators

This study investigates the self-reported levels of occupational burnout among 1,094 U.S. Air Force drone operators stationed within the borders of the United States who are supporting a wide range of around-the-clock military surveillance and weapons strike missions across the globe. Data were gathered from a Web-based survey of demographic items and the Maslach Burnout Inventory assessing the facets of occupational burnout (exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy). The overall survey response rate was 49%. Approximately 20% reported high levels of exhaustion, and 11% reported high levels of cynicism, but only 3% reported low levels of professional efficacy. Predictors of exhaustion, as well as between group differences, were identified along with recommendations for performance improvement and mitigating risks to safety.

NEO PI-R normative personality data that distinguish U.S. Air Force female pilots.

Female U.S. Air Force (USAF) pilots represent a unique group of women in a challenging, high-risk, and male-dominated profession. Aside from ability and motivation, personality characteristics are considered to play a key role in succeeding as a military pilot (Paullin, Katz, Bruskiewicz, Houston, & Damos, 2006). This study evaluated psychological baseline test scores from the NEO Personality Inventory–Revised (NEO PI-R) on the current inventory of rated USAF female (n = 512) and male (n = 9630) pilots in an effort to (a) provide modern normative data on the personality traits of current USAF female pilots, (b) identify personality traits that distinguish female pilots from male pilots and non-pilot females in the civilian normative sample, and (c) assess for meaningful personality differences within female pilots across specific airframes (e.g., fighter/bomber, reconnaissance/surveillance, tanker/transport, and helicopter). The results of the study aim to shed light on objective personality traits and differences and assist clinical psychologists with the interpretation of NEO PI-R psychological test scores when evaluating USAF female pilots. A case vignette is provided to illustrate practical application of study findings.

Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in United States Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation Nurses and Technicians

Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT) are specialized military medical personnel who provide high-acuity care in an aeromedical environment. The rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms was assessed in CCATT personnel and their rates were compared to general aeromedical evacuation (AE) personnel. As part of a computer-based occupational stress survey, 188 crew members (138 AE nurses and technicians, 50 CCATT nurses and respiratory therapists) completed the PTSD Checklist - Military Version. A categorical MEET/DOES NOT MEET CRITERIA variable was created, and a Fishers exact test was computed to identify differences between groups. Contingency table analyses were used to assess associations between demographic and occupational variables with meeting criteria. χ2 or Fishers exact test results, relative risks, and 95% confidence intervals were obtained, with 4.35% of AE and 14.00% of CCATT crew members meeting PTSD symptom criteria. The CCATT crew members were 3.22 times (95% confidence interval = 1.14-9.12) more likely to meet symptom criteria than AE, and for CCATT meeting criteria, the most commonly endorsed symptoms were arousal and avoidance. The demographic and occupational factors assessed in this study were not associated with meeting PTSD symptom criteria. Current findings are discussed in relation to current research on post-traumatic stress in ground-based critical care personnel.

Selecting the “Best” Factor Structure and Moving Measurement Validation Forward: An Illustration

ABSTRACT Despite the broad literature base on factor analysis best practices, research seeking to evaluate a measures psychometric properties frequently fails to consider or follow these recommendations. This leads to incorrect factor structures, numerous and often overly complex competing factor models and, perhaps most harmful, biased model results. Our goal is to demonstrate a practical and actionable process for factor analysis through (a) an overview of six statistical and psychometric issues and approaches to be aware of, investigate, and report when engaging in factor structure validation, along with a flowchart for recommended procedures to understand latent factor structures; (b) demonstrating these issues to provide a summary of the updated Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL–5) factor models and a rationale for validation; and (c) conducting a comprehensive statistical and psychometric validation of the PCL–5 factor structure to demonstrate all the issues we described earlier. Considering previous research, the PCL–5 was evaluated using a sample of 1,403 U.S. Air Force remotely piloted aircraft operators with high levels of battlefield exposure. Previously proposed PCL–5 factor structures were not supported by the data, but instead a bifactor model is arguably more statistically appropriate.

Emotional Reactions to Killing in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Crewmembers During and Following Weapon Strikes

As part of United States Air Force remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) weapon-strike operations, Predator/Reaper crewmembers participate in the targeting and destruction of enemy combatants and witness the aftermath via live video feed. Although the demand for weapon-strike operations has increased dramatically, the emotional impact of engaging in remote warfare remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to gather both quantitative and qualitative data on the emotional reactions of remote warriors and examine potential occupational (e.g., number of years as an RPA crewmember, prior military experience, prior combat deployments, and total number of weapon-strike missions), demographic (i.e., age, marital status, gender, and dependents living at home), and mission-specific (i.e., target familiarity, mission outcome, and high-definition vs. standard-definition video feed) correlates of negative reactions. Seventy-four RPA crewmembers participated in semi-structured interviews. Relative risk (RR) analyses indicated only witnessing civilian casualties and witnessing nonhuman collateral damage were associated with elevated risk for negative reactions (RR = 1.91, p < .05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11–3.26, and RR = 1.94, p < .05, 95% CI: 1.14–3.29). Limitations of the study, directions for future research, and potential implications of these findings for selection, training, and post-mission support are discussed.

Occupational Stressors, Burnout, and Predictors of Suicide Ideation Among U.S. Air Force Remote Warriors

ABSTRACT Suicide is a growing concern in the virtual warrior community of the United States Air Force (USAF). Identifying risk factors for suicide that are unique to this community of military personnel is therefore critical. A total of 4,340 USAF remote warriors (27.8% remotely piloted aircraft, 60.3% intelligence, and 11.9% cyber warfare operators) completed anonymous surveys that assessed demographic, occupational demands, psychological distress, and suicide ideation. Suicide ideation was self-reported by 5–6% of participants. Results of multinomial logistic regression indicated that burnout increased risk for suicide ideation, but not when psychological distress was included as a covariate.

Subtypes of severe psychological distress among US Air Force remote warriors: A latent class analysis

ABSTRACT US Air Force remote warrior personnel include a range of military personnel composed of remotely piloted aircraft aircrew, intelligence operators, and cyber warfare operators. Job duties in these professions entail long work hours, rotating shifts, and regular engagement in combat operations. Although research has identified a number of factors correlated with elevated burnout and emotional distress in this population, little is known about the unique needs of discrete subgroups of distressed personnel. In a sample of 7,550 US Air Force remote warriors, results of latent class analysis yielded four distinct classes. Three of the four reported moderately elevated burnout and job dissatisfaction but differed with respect to demographics and development career stage. The fourth group reported significantly higher levels of emotional distress, burnout, job dissatisfaction, and problems in living. This latter group was comparable to the mid-career group with respect to demographics, although this group had much lower levels of responsibility and indicators of career advancement. Results suggest that, among remote warrior personnel, there are several subtypes of elevated emotional distress. Prevention and intervention strategies that are matched to each subtype may yield better occupational and mental health outcomes than universal, “one size fits all” strategies.

Patterns of posttraumatic stress symptoms among united states air force combat search and rescue personnel

U.S. Air Force (USAF) combat search and rescue (CSAR) aircrew and special duty rescue personnel are specially trained airmen with high levels of direct exposure to combat-related medical trauma. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence rate of CSAR military personnel meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition; DSM–5) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom criteria. USAF CSAR aircrew (n = 128) and rescue personnel (n = 300) across multiple units participated in the study by completing a demographics survey and the PTSD checklist based on DSM–5. Fourteen participants endorsed a pattern of symptoms of moderate to extreme level of severity meeting PTSD diagnostic criteria. Recommendations are provided for line and medical leadership to optimize health and performance among CSAR personnel.

Personality Strengths Among Graduates of U.S. Air Force Combat Controller Training

The present study examined differences in cognitive aptitude and personality traits between graduates (n = 241) and nongraduates (n = 533) of U.S. Air Force combat control (CCT) training. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) were completed prior to the start of training. Graduates scored significantly higher on all four ASVAB composite scores (p < .001, g > .31) and on the general mood, intrapersonal, adaptability, and stress management domains (p < .001, g > .35) of the EQ-i, but no difference existed on the interpersonal domain (p = .41, g = .08). Findings suggest that successful CCT candidates have above-average ability to maintain a positive attitude, self-acceptance, recognition of internal emotional states, and perceived control over thoughts and actions. The EQ-i improves the prediction of CCT training graduates, with optimism and happiness being the relative strongest predictor (AOR = 1.07, p < .001).