Coping with Antarctic demands: Psychological implications of isolation and confinement

• Published in: Stress and health Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 431 - 441
• Main Authors: Tortello, Camila, Folgueira, Agustín, Nicolas, Michel, Cuiuli, Juan Manuel, Cairoli, Germán, Crippa, Valeria, Barbarito, Marta, Abulafia, Carolina, Golombek, Diego Andrés, Vigo, Daniel Eduardo, Plano, Santiago Andrés
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-08-2021; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Cognitive ability; Coping; coping strategies; extreme environment; group dynamics; Humanities and Social Sciences; Mood; Psychology; Social interactions; stress; mood variations; strategies; emotional questionnaire
• ISSN: 1532-3005; 1532-2998
• DOI: 10.1002/smi.3006

Working in extreme environments requires a wide range of cognitive, psychological and social competences. Antarctica represents one of the most challenging habitats to work in due to its aridity, extremely cold weather, and isolated conditions. This study aimed to assess mood variations and coping strategies, as well as their possible modulation by group dynamics in a crew at the Belgrano II Argentine Antarctic Station throughout 1 year of confinement. Thirteen members of the Argentine Army completed emotional, coping and social dynamics questionnaires bimonthly in March, May, July, September and November. Results showed a significant decline in social dynamics scales, evidenced by decreases in perceived peer and hierarchical support. Additionally, coping strategies displayed a drop in mature defence throughout the expedition. A positive correlation was found between social support and recovery from stress. Our results highlight the importance of interpersonal relationships in psychological adjustment to isolation and extreme environments.