Five-Factor Model Facet Characteristics of Non-Aeronautically Adaptable Military Aviators

Campbell JS, Ruiz MA, Moore JL. Five-factor model facets characteristics of non-aeronautically adaptable military aviators. Aviat Space Environ Med 2010; 81:864–8.

Background: The present study revisited a large sample of clinically referred military aviators, previously evaluated across factors of the Five Factor Model of personality (FFM), to determine whether identified facet differences were consistent with U.S. Navy guidelines for evaluating aeronautical adaptability. Methods: Clinically evaluated U.S. Naval aviators and flight officers (N = 954) disposed as either aeronautically adaptable (AA) or not aeronautically adaptable (NAA) were compared with respect to their facet level scores on the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R). Additional analyses were conducted to control for NAA status attributable to physical as opposed to psychological standards and for student versus designated aviator/flight officer experience levels. Results: NAA aviators and flight officers, when compared to their AA counterparts, evidenced significant and substantive effect size differences on facets measuring negative emotionality, interpersonal effectiveness, and goal-orientation. Conclusion: FFM facet differences between AA and NAA officers were only partially consistent with U.S. Navy guidelines; expected facet differences related to compliance, deliberation, actions, and excitement-seeking/impulsivity were not observed.