Psychological Impact of the Antarctic Winter on Indian Expeditioners

Abstract

The authors studied the psychological variables of 25 men who participated in the winter-over team of an Indian expedition to Antarctica for possible associations with seasonality and isolation. It was found that increased cigarette smoking was associated with the stress of the beginning of isolation (March), sleep difficulty was associated with midwinter (June), rapport was at a minimum at the point of maximum isolation in temporal terms (September), and decreased satisfaction with work and life situations was associated with continued isolation (December, January). The study suggested that variables postulated to affect performance undergo changes during the course of wintering over in Antarctica.

Human challenges in polar and space environments

“…The alterations in lightdark periodicity in polar regions disrupt the circadian sleep cycle, resulting in considerable sleep disturbances during the darkness period, and an associated decline in subjective feelings of well-being and alertness in polar areas (Bhargava et al 2000;Natani et al 1970;Palinkas et al 1995a;Palinkas et al 1996). Also in space, the loss of the 24-h light/dark cycle, circadian disruption, microgravity, and workload demands may result in performance decrements, decreased alertness and sleep disruptions (Mallis and Deroshia 2005).…”

“…Other psychological stress reactions have also been reported. During the long winter-over period in Antarctica, personnel have reported increases in depressive mood, psychosomatic complaints, and interpersonal conflicts, and a decrement in work performance (Bhargava et al 2000;Ikegawa et al 1998;Palinkas et al 1995aPalinkas et al , b, 1996Palinkas and Johnson 1990). Likewise anecdotal and behavioral evidence from space missions show that crewmembers have experienced psychological reactions that have included lapses of attention, emotional liability, psychosomatic symptoms, irritability toward crewmates and/or mission control staff, and a considerable decline in vigor and motivation (Kanas and Manzey 2003;Suedfeld 2005).…”

“…The attention to the third quarter phenomenon can be traced back to Rohrer's (1961) observation of Antarctic and submarine missions, in which he described three stages of crewmember response: initial anxiety over new experiences in the mission, mid-mission monotony and depression as tasks become routine, and late-mission euphoria and immature behavior as the end is anticipated. Elements of these stages have been reported during long-term Russian space missions and confinement studies, but empirical evidence for the existence of specific critical phases has been equivocal (Bhargava et al 2000;Gushin et al 1997;Leon et al 2002;Palinkas 2003;Palinkas et al 2000Palinkas et al , 2004bSandal 2000Sandal , 2001aSandal et al 1996;Steel and Suedfeld 1991;Stuster et al 2000;Wood et al 1999). For example during a 438-day MIR mission, Manzey and Lorenz (1998) monitored different indicators of mood, but found little indications to support a stage model of adaptation.…”

Changes in sleep patterns during prolonged stays in Antarctica

“…Using questionnaire methods, Bhargava et al (2000) reported that wintering members of the Indian Antarctic Expedition suffered from sleep disturbances and other behavioural adjustments during midwinter months. In view of the evidence from previous sleep studies carried out in the Antarctic, and subjective reports of sleep disturbances in the Indian station, the present study was undertaken with the aim of using polysomnographic techniques to objectively evaluate the sleep pattern of six wintering members of the 24th Indian Antarctic Expedition with respect to their prolonged stay in the harsh Antarctic environment.…”

Psychological changes arising from an Antarctic stay: systematic overview

“…Psychosocial features may perform a significant role in the individual adaptation to extreme environments (Bhargava, Mukerji & Sachdeva, 2000;Johnson, Boster & Palinkas, 2003). Research has revealed the key roles leadership and gender differences play in the functioning of the group and both factors are acknowledged as cohesion and adjustment facilitators within the team.…”