Understanding Mental Wellness in Collegiate Pilots: The Interplay of Fatigue, Sleep, and Health-Promoting Behaviors

This study investigates patterns of fatigue severity, sleep hygiene, daytime sleepiness, and health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and examine the interrelationships among these factors in collegiate aviation students. Participants included undergraduate professional pilot students enrolled in a Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 four-year aviation degree program in the southeastern United States (N = 82). Participants completed four validated self-report instruments: the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Sleep Hygiene Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Descriptive analyses were conducted to characterize the results of each assessment, and Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine intervariable associations. On average, students reported moderate fatigue (M = 3.84, SD = 1.30), with 41% classified as nonfatigued, 41% as borderline fatigued, and 17% as experiencing clinically significant fatigue. Nearly half of the participants (45%) reported excessive daytime sleepiness, while 21% demonstrated poor sleep hygiene practices. Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors were moderate overall (M = 2.56), with the lowest scores in health responsibility, nutrition, and stress management. Correlational and regression analyses revealed weak, nonsignificant associations among fatigue, sleep, and lifestyle variables, suggesting that fatigue in this population arises from multiple interacting influences rather than a single behavioral factor. The findings indicate that fatigue, inadequate sleep practices, and suboptimal wellness behaviors are prevalent among collegiate aviators. Since collegiate flight programs represent the primary pipeline for future professional pilots, integrating fatigue management, sleep hygiene education, and wellness training into aviation curricula is essential to promote both academic success and operational safety.