The Effect of Music Listening on Stress Levels of Air Traffic Controllers University of Windsor Teresa Lesiuk, PhD, MT-BC, MTA (Master’s thesis, Colorado State University)

Conditions and Measures n Control (sitting in silence) vs. Experimental (preferred music listening) n Spielberger Trait Anxiety n Spielberger State Anxiety n Eysenck Extraversion/Introversion n Perception of Air Traffic Activity

Procedure n A pre-test posttest control group design was carried out with 33 ATC from the FAA in Longmont, Colorado. Participants completed trait anxiety and extraversion and introversion measurements, as well as a stress inventory measure prior to the study. State anxiety measures were taken over four shifts. The controllers came off a five hour shift for a break- If they were in the control group, they sat in silence during their break, and if in the experimental group they listened to 15 minutes of music of their own choosing (preferred music). n State anxiety measurements were taken immediately following the shift, after the music listening/or silence, and then once again at the end of the shift. Participants also indicated how much air traffic activity they experienced, measured after the five hour shift and at the end of the shift.

Results n Results indicated no difference in stress reduction between the sitting in silence and the music listening, however their was a significant interaction found in individual differences. That is, individuals with high trait anxiety and introversion did not indicate stress reduction - and they also perceived higher air traffic activity than the other types.

State Anxiety of High and Low Trait Anxiety Participants

Comparing E/I with Trait to State Anxiety No. 2 All personality combinations reduce in stress except for High Trait Anxiety/Introverts

All Participants’ Air Traffic Over Time Level of air traffic is reported to be less at end of shift than mid-shift

Comparing E/I with Trait State Anxiety Over Time All Personality Types Reduce in Stress – Except for High Trait Anxiety/Introverts

Air Traffic Reports According to Personality High Trait Anxiety/Introverts Report Higher Air Traffic Activity