@article{, title = {Mind Matters: Psychological Factors in Aircrew Illness}, author = {C, Joseph and CG, Roopa}, abstract = { Psychological factors contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of medical illnesses, affect their course and may be a target for effective intervention. Emotional and perceptual factors have been implicated in the maintenance of illness behaviour in both the general and aircrew populations. In aircrew it may influence not only the duration and course of illness but also return back to flying. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a statistically higher incidence of certain personality characteristics in three different groups of referred military aircrew. One hundred and fifteen aircrew were studied in three groups; non clinical (NC), musculoskeletal disabilities (MD) group and other medical disabilities (OMD) group using the Rorschach test indices. All underwent a clinical interview and were administered the Rorschach test individually with no testing of limits by one of two trained psychologists. Responses were scored following Rapaport’s method in terms of location, determinants and content. Results were then tabulated according to the presence or absence of 18 personality characteristics derived from the Rorschach indices which was then statistically analysed using the χ\textsuperscript{2} test. Results indicated that all three groups showed deviations from optimal perceptual generalization and the NC group also had difficulty in differentiation, deficiencies in affectional needs and emotional over reactivity. A significant number of aircrew in the clinical groups showed anxiety and somatisation. A significantly high number of aircrew in all three groups showed non optimal emotional responsivity and reactivity. Different patterns of emotional and perceptual responses are observed in referred clinical and non clinical aircrew groups. The implications for interventions and remedies are discussed. }, volume = 54, journal = {Indian Journal of Aerospace Medicine}, issn = {0970-6666}, issn = {2582-5348}, }