The Third-Quarter Phenomenon: Do People Experience Discomfort After Stress Has Passed?

Stages of Change in Mood and Behavior During a Winter in Antarctica

“…In the month after midwinter (July at Palmer and McMurdo and August at South Pole), mood scores begin to increase, reflecting a new stage of adaptation that displays characteristics of the third-quarter phenomenon described by Bechtel and Berning (1991). The increase in anxiety and the significantly greater levels of anger among personnel at McMurdo during the month of August may be attributed to the end of isolation occurring with winter fly-in (WINFLY), whereas at South Pole and Palmer, winter-over personnel remained at the station for another few months.…”

Cardiovascular Autonomic Adaptation to Long-Term Confinement During a 105-Day Simulated Mars Mission

“…These regions are also associated with the regulation of emotional (e.g., depression, anxiety) and cognitive behaviors (e.g., decision making) and, therefore, linked to well-being and in the development of social behavior and coping strategy ( 14,26 ). A decrease in winterers ' mood just after the middle of confi nement, which was termed as " third-quarter phenomenon " was addressed not only in polar missions ( 6 ), but also in spacefl ight simulations ( 21 ). In another study of the Mars105 project, similar U-shaped changes were observed in mood and brain cortical activity ( 25 ), which is in line with the previous fi ndings of " thirdquarter phenomenon " during the confi nement ( 6,21 ).…”

“…A decrease in winterers ' mood just after the middle of confi nement, which was termed as " third-quarter phenomenon " was addressed not only in polar missions ( 6 ), but also in spacefl ight simulations ( 21 ). In another study of the Mars105 project, similar U-shaped changes were observed in mood and brain cortical activity ( 25 ), which is in line with the previous fi ndings of " thirdquarter phenomenon " during the confi nement ( 6,21 ). The decreases in cognitive-emotional responses may be translated into autonomic or endocrine outputs at the hypothalamus or brain stem, which then reduces the physiological responses to tasks.…”

Exploring the Last Continent

“…This point was approximately mid-way through the third quarter. Therefore, he labelled the collective effects associated with this period the 'third-quarter phenomenon' (Bechtel and Berning 1991).…”