Factors that influence USAF trainee pilot mental healthcare seeking and health information disclosure: A qualitative assessment

United States Air Force (USAF) trainee pilots must meet medical standards to maintain flying status. Fear of losing flying status may contribute to healthcare avoidance. This qualitative study examined factors influencing mental healthcare seeking and health information disclosure among USAF trainee pilots. Sixteen interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis, achieving acceptable data saturation. Most participants were male, aged 22-41 years. Four participants were enrolled in Pilot Instructor Training, while the remaining participants were early-career pilot trainees. The most frequently reported barriers to mental healthcare seeking and disclosure included loss of flying status, career impact, fear, and perceived symptom severity. Commonly reported facilitators included embedded care, leadership support, organizational culture, and awareness of available resources. These findings suggest that multiple interconnected factors influence mental healthcare seeking and health information disclosure among USAF trainee pilots, highlighting the importance of understanding perceived barriers and supportive factors within military aviation training.