Stress and mental health in air traffic controllers and firefighters at a Colombian airport
Keywords:
Stress, Mental Health, Stress Symptoms, Behavioral Disturbance, Interpersonal RelationshipsAbstract
Objective: To relate the influence of work stress on the mental health of air traffic controllers versus firefighters who work at a Colombian airport. Methodology: Cross-sectional, correlational study, carried out on 41 air traffic controllers and 30 firefighters at a Colombian airport. Stress was assessed using a standardized questionnaire for this purpose, while mental health status was assessed using the Goldberg instrument. The relationship between stress and mental health was explored using the logistic regression model. Results: Among the controllers, the physiological symptoms of stress were observed at a very high level in 39% and at a high level in 34% of the participants, while among firefighters 30% showed a high level and 17 % a medium level. Regarding mental health, air traffic controllers and firefighters presented behavioral alterations in 88% and 80%, as well as alterations in interpersonal relationships in 49% and 57% respectively. Finally, there was no correlation between stress and mental health. Conclusions: No relationship was found of the influence of work stress on the mental health of air traffic controllers versus firefighters. However, the physiological symptoms of stress scored very high and high for the group of controllers; medium and high for firefighters, with behavioral disturbances and interpersonal relationships occurring in both groups.Downloads
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