Mental Health
One study, reporting psychological distress in 17% of Alitalia flight attendants,
has identified a number of potential stressors like fatigue, isolation, difficult
passengers, low supervisory support, low job satisfaction, and demanding work.
Despite this, many flight attendants felt that job benefits, such as independence
and travel, outweighed any disadvantages. Work-home imbalance is frequently
cited by flight attendants as a cause of stress, especially for those with children,
for whom extensive absences from home is reported as causing reduced social
interactions and child care difficulties. Susceptible individuals may experience
exhaustion and stress due to excessive “ emotion work ”.
Anxiety about the personal safety risks of flying is not uncommon in flight attendants; in one study 37% of flight attendants reported anxiety on takeoff.