Motivation for professional activity in extreme conditions in Antarctica among winterers of different age groups

Abstract

Professional activities in the extreme conditions of Antarctica and the Arctic are primarily associated with major risks to life and health, including psychological risks, for the personnel of polar stations. The relevance of this study is driven by the fact that in extreme forms of professional activity, such as expeditions to the Earth’s poles, extreme sports, military operations, etc., one of the main criteria for selecting and forming effective and cohesive teams or groups is understanding the primary motives behind their actions. Motivated individuals tend to perform better and achieve greater success. The purpose of the study is to identify the leading motivations for professional activity in extreme conditions among winterers of Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions across different age groups. To achieve this purpose, methods of theoretical and empirical analysis, observation, generalisation, and systematisation of age groups were chosen. The paper defines and establishes an age-based classification of participants in annual expeditions to the Ukrainian Antarctic station “Academic Vernadsky”. Through surveys, the study measures the level of motivation among individuals towards professional activities in Antarctica within three age groups: younger, middle-aged, and older. Three leading motives are identified: spiritual, social, and material. The analysis of the obtained data concerning the level of these leading motivational factors in polar station environments provides insights into the main reasons driving motivation for prolonged professional activity and helps in adapting to the extreme conditions of the surrounding environment. In addition, age-related differences in motivational processes among different age groups of winterers are presented, allowing for the formation of well-coordinated teams of polar expedition participants of varying age categories. The findings can be used in planning activities in long-term polar expeditions, in military and sports psychology.