The Impact of an Internet Gratitude Intervention on Repetitive Negative Thinking: An Experimental Study of Commercial Pilots

Introduction: Occupational or psychosocial stress of flight crews may be the cause of disorder-independent repetitive negative thinking (RNT) in the cockpit. With commercial pilots being exposed to work related stressors interfering with social life, habitual formation of dark or negative thoughts can emerge with inherent symptoms of rumination, anxieties, and altered decision making. Such symptoms imply flight safety risks for aircrews. Interventions that target the evolution of RNT might thus prevent its development and provide strategies for coping with such specific stress. Research Question: Is a perseverative internet gratitude intervention task able to reduce repetitive negative thinking among commercial pilots? Method: Using an online gratitude intervention task with self-reported measurement in a longitudinal pretest-posttest-control group design, a content-independent self-reported thinking RNT questionnaire was applied to identify the influence of a gratitude intervention on pilots’ thinking style. A total of 36 commercial pilots were randomized to either the intervention group or control group. Data were collected at baseline (t1) and after a two-week post intervention period (t2). The outcome was measured via the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ). Results: Participants of the intervention group reported significantly less RNT at t2 (d = 0.51) as compared to the control group. Reliable improvements of participants from t1 to t2 in the intervention group were reported by 23% (n = 8.5). Sensitivity analysis supported results at t2 as robust. Discussion: The significance of a positive psychology intervention for preventing the development of RNT is being debated. Common sources of occupational stress need to be identified that cause RNT among pilots. This paper critically evaluates strengths and weaknesses of the proposed intervention and explores its relevance and applicability for the work context of an airline cockpit. Conclusion: A perceived misunderstanding of pilots’ basic needs may underlie occupational or psychosocial stress emerging in the cockpit. The gratitude intervention task applied in this study was feasible and well-accepted for assessing pilots’ RNT. However, their effect on overall well-being remains unclear. The results support more extensive trials that focus on behavioral outcomes for reducing RNT and improving pilot mental health.