Comorbidity among dysthymia, substance use, and other mental health disorders: characteristics of flight attendants in residential substance abuse treatment in the United States

Abstract

Background: Limited research has been conducted exploring the mental health problems experienced by flight attendants, even though they are asked to respond and cope with stressful situations that place them under a great deal of stress and emotional vulnerability.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of dysthymia, and its comorbid relationship with other mental health and substance use disorders among flight attendants attending residential substance abuse treatment.

Methods: Seventy medical charts of flight attendants admitted consecutively to a residential substance abuse treatment agency were reviewed. Data collected included information concerning multiple Axes I and II disorders; sociodemographic characteristics; number of previous mental health and substance abuse treatments; number of times of attempted suicide and the number of suicide attempts under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and perceived quality of life.

Results: Findings indicated that over half the sample reported high dysthymia scores. Those with dysthymia reported elevated comorbidity rates with multiple Axes I and II disorders compared to non-dysthymic flight attendants.

Conclusions: Implications for the mental health field are discussed, noting the importance of developing and providing clinical interventions for flight attendants who are substance abusers with co-occurring disorders.

Keywords:

• comorbidity
• dysthymia
• flight attendants
• residential treatment
• substance use disorder