Are Peer Support Programs Effective in the Detection and Prevention of Mental Health Issues in Commercial Aviation?

Figures & data

Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram of included studies.

Figure 2. Database search terms.

Table 1. Summary of included studies on peer support in high-risk organizations and aviation and the detection and prevention of mental health problems is presented in Table 1.

Reference	Design/Method	Sample and Settings	Outcomes/Results
Santilhano et al. (2019).	Qualitative phenomenological design using semi-structured interviews.	9 participants of a South African PPSP: peers, mental health professionals and flight operations managers.	The results suggest that pilot peers enhance the perception of support and safety. However, it is concluded that peer support needs to become integrated as a resource to be truly effective, and that the working definitions of health and fitness to fly need to become clearer, more inclusive of holistic well-being
Mulder and de Rooy (2018).	Literature review and review of official incident and accident reports.	Professions comparable to pilots (using the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO)).	No evidence was found on the effects of pilot peer support in improving and/or preventing mental health issues. Three of the five articles, with week or no empirical evidence as support, found that people participating in peer support programs tend to be pleased with the programs.
Creamer et al. (2012).	Web-based Delphi process.	92 experts and practitioners of peer-support.	The Delphi process resulted in consensus on 62 of 77 statements. These were used to create 8 main recommendations relevant to designing and implementing peer support programs in high-risk settings.
Dukhanin et al. (2018).	Mixed-method evaluation design. Surveys, pre and post implementation analyzed using quantitative and qualitative analysis.	Aproximately 200 health care workers.	Participants reported being more aware of the available support and more inclined to using it. At the follow up, 4 years after implementation, more participants reported having support available if needed and benefits of using the organizational support

Santilhano, W., Bor, R., & Hewitt, L. M. M. (2019). The role of peer support and its contribution as an effective response to addressing the emotional well-being of pilots. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 9(2), 67–76. https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000163

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Mulder, S., & de Rooy, D. (2018). Pilot mental health, negative life events, and improving safety with peer support and a just culture. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 89(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.3357/amhp.4903.2018

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Creamer, M. C., Varker, T., Bisson, J., Darte, K., Greenberg, N., Lau, W., Moreton, G., O’Donnell, M., Richardson, D., Ruzek, J., Watson, P., & Forbes, D. (2012). Guidelines for peer support in high-risk organizations: An international consensus study using the delphi method. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25(2), 134–141. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21685

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Dukhanin, V., Edrees, H. H., Connors, C. A., Kang, E., Norvell, M., & Wu, A. W. (2018). Case: A second victim support program in pediatrics: Successes and challenges to implementation. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 41, 54–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2018.01.011

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