Mental health in F-111 maintenance workers: the study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel (SHOAMP) general health and medical study.

Abstract

We sought to contrast mood disorder symptoms in F-111 aircraft Deseal/Reseal maintenance personnel with appropriate comparisons. Participants completed a comprehensive health assessment, including measures of mood disorder, self-reported mood symptom questionnaire items, and review of anxiolytic and depression medication. Multiple logistic regression was conducted for each outcome using exposure group and potential confounders as explanatory variables. There was high agreement between self-reported mood disturbance and objective tests. The exposed group was more likely to self-report previous diagnoses of depression/anxiety, had higher use of antidepressant medications, and had increased risk of diagnosis of depression/anxiety. Results were consistently strong against both comparison groups, with the exposed more likely to have mental distress and social dysfunction when compared with the Australian population. There is robust evidence for an association between F-111 Deseal/Reseal exposure and impaired mental health.