Psychobiological Studies of Individuals in Small, Isolated Groups in the Antarctic and in Space Analogues

Ursin, Holger; Bergan, Tone; Collet, J.; Endresen, Inger M.; Lugg, Desmond J.; Maki, Patricia A.; Matre, R.; Molvær, O. I.; Muller, H. Konrad; Olff, Miranda; Pettersen, Rune; Sandal, Gro Mjeldheim; Værnes, Ragnar J.; Warncke, Marit

doi:10.1177/0013916591236007

Cited by 43 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…2000). A 4‐week Norwegian isolation study of group interaction and dynamics similarly found that initially participants experienced the team as positive and cheerful, followed by a period of dissatisfaction with group management and organization, before individual mood and team function stabilized in a positive manner 23 . Studies of depressive symptoms in US Antarctic winter expeditioners indicate that even clinically normal individuals experience an increase in depressive symptoms in high‐latitude environments during winter months and that these symptoms tend to peak mid‐winter 24 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some expeditions have more disharmony than others, either prior to the departure of the summer expeditioners or during the period of winter isolation. Individual psychological factors determine both the physical and psychological response of that individual 23 . Not all stressors are equally influential on all individuals, and individuals cope differently 26 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Trends in mucosal immunity in Antarctica during six Australian winter expeditions

et al. 2002

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Salivary immunoglobulin and albumin levels were examined for differences between stations and expeditions, and for monthly changes over the expedition year. Salivary IgA and IgM concentrations were on average higher for the 1993 Casey expeditioners, and all salivary protein levels were lower for 1996 Mawson expeditioners compared to levels of the other expeditions. The change in salivary IgA and IgM concentrations over the 1-year period revealed a consistent pattern between expeditions. Salivary IgA levels were lower in March, April and May compared to other months of the year (P = 0.0002). Salivary IgM levels were lowest in the first 4 months of the year, with peak levels in June and July (P < 0.0001). There were no changes in salivary IgG and albumin concentrations over the expedition year. Though the cause of the changes in salivary IgA and IgM levels over the year is unknown, the changes could reflect alterations in mucosal immunity in response to stressors associated with isolation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trends in mucosal immunity in Antarctica during six Australian winter expeditions

et al. 2002

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“…There is evidence that the psychological reactions encountered during isolation follow the same sequential pattern, regardless of the environment (Gushin et al 1993;Ursin et al 1991). The first stage is anxiety, the second stage is depression and settling down to routine, the last, and most critical stage, seems to occur around the third quarter of the isolation period, and is characterized by emotional outbursts, aggressiveness (182) 1400 (174) 1525 (189) 1375 (183) 1712 (248) 1700 (168) 1250 (254) 1600 (138) II 1137 (124) 1332 (100) 1210 (36) 1500 (220) 1600 (137) 1637 (211) Sodium (mmol/24 h) I 232 (29) 245 (33) 289 (36) 244 (22) 227 (30) 254 (31) 194 (29) 280 (32) 269 (32) 281 (32) 242 (44) II 176 (35) 191 (12) 243 (24) 204 (16) 285 (3) 332 (60) Potassium (mmol/24 h) I 50.4 (8) 61 (6) 66 (10) 55 (10) 66 (12) 57 (5) 46 (6) 74 (7) 71 (9) 64 (5) 57 (5) II 62 (22) 61 (6) 51 (3) 54 (6) 71 (7) 84 (8) Nitrites (lmol/24 h) I 563 (56) 601 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hormonal changes during long-term isolation

et al. 2004

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Confinement and inactivity induce considerable psychological and physiological modifications through social and sensory deprivation. The aim of the SFINCSS-99 experiment was to determine the cardiovascular and hormonal pattern of blood volume regulation during long-term isolation and confinement. Simulation experiments were performed in pressurized chambers similar in size to the volumes of modern space vehicles. Group I consisted of four Russian male volunteers, who spent 240 days in a 100-m(3 )chamber. Group II included four males (one German and three Russians) who spent 110 days in isolation (200-m(3) module). The blood samples, taken before, during and after the isolation period, were used to determine haematocrit (Ht), growth hormone (GH), active renin, aldosterone, and osmolality levels. From the urine samples, electrolytes, osmolality, nitrites, nitrates, cortisol, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), aldosterone, normetanephrine and metanephrine levels were determined. The increase in plasma volume (PV) that is associated with a tendency for a decrease in plasma active renin is likely to be due to decreased sympathetic activity, and concords with the changes in urinary catecholamine levels during confinement. Urinary catecholamine levels were significantly higher during the recovery period than during confinement. This suggests that the sympathoadrenal system was activated, and concords with the increase in heart rate. Vascular resistance is determined by not only the vasoconstrictor but also vasodilator systems. The ratio of nitrite/nitrate in urine, as an indicator of nitric oxide release, did not reveal any significant changes. Analysis of data suggests that the duration of the isolation was a main factor involved in the regulation of hormones.

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“…In total, more than 150 questions were included in the questionnaire, of which a majority used a structured, closed-ended format. To study the impact of the design and use of tent shelters on users' well-being, some data collection techniques used by several studies of environmental psychology were adopted as a reference (Byrne, Barry, & Nelson, 1963;Derogatis, Lipman, Rickels, Uhlenhuth, & Covi, 1974;Leon, 1991;Mackay, Cox, Burrows, & Lazzerini, 1978;Ursin et al, 1991). These studies all used self-descriptive questionnaires as instruments to explore various aspects of psychological well-being such as mood, stress, depression, and anxiety.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%