Risk factors in the development of neuroses and psychosomatic disorders in flight personnel

One hundred and twenty one patients underwent psychological examinations using personality-oriented tests (a standard method of personality examinations and a projective aviation test), 24 of whom displayed neurotic states and 97--psychosomatic diseases. Clinical and psychological examinations helped identify two basic patterns of psychic adaptation to stressful flying activities which manifested as asthenic trends and predisposition to nonconformist behaviour. In the control group, consisting of 165 graduates of a flying school, these patterns of psychic adaptation were rarely seen. The results were statistically significant. These patterns of mental adaptation of the personality can be viewed as risk factors for the development of psychogenic pathologies in the flying personnel.