How self-image and personality influence performance in an isolated environment.

The purpose of this research is to explore the relationships between self-image and personality characteristics with cognitive impairment in an isolated group during wintering. Cognitive performance is measured with the Stres Battery (SB), self-image by Abraham's Matrix of Intra- and Inter-Processes in Groups (MIPG), and interpersonal characteristics by the usual personality inventories. Results show that good cognitive performances are related to discordances between the real self and the ideal self and that bad performances are related to harmony between these two images. Moreover, the best cognitive performers have low scores in extroversion and assertiveness. The results are discussed in terms of specific adaptive reactions to wintering.

Study of the psychological adaptation of the crew during a 135 days space simulation.

The purpose of this study is to examine human adaptation of a three members' crew during a 135 days MIR flight simulation and to compare and validate psychological methods for monitoring and support in flight. The main findings showed that isolation was not a key factor for the subjects who were more concerned by recreational activities, family, and work. The individual reactions to stress of the crew members were to project their problems on the others. These reactions had some consequences upon the group: Although the three subjects developed a weak tendency to "group think", one of the crew members was considered as less integrated to the group by the other two subjects, who, however, acted to protect (successfully) the general cohesion and mood of the crew. From a methodological point of view, baseline data predicted the difficulties that occurred for one of the crew member. Both quantitative and qualitative tools were adequate, although qualitative tests gave a closer approach to the actual situation that developed during the simulation.

[A methodological study in a space flight simulation context]. / Une etude methodologique lors d'une simulation espace.

To study the effects of isolation and confinement on small groups during long space flights, it is habitual to use closed hyperbaric ground chambers. For the first time, the European Space Agency made use of a nautral environment taking advantage of an Antarctic winter-over at the French Dumont d'Urville Station. The main objective of that study ("International Antarctic Psychological Programme"), was to compare different Russian tests used for training cosmonauts to a W. European approach validated during previous winter studies and European ground chamber simulations. Russian techniques appeared to be oriented to a narrow range of phenomena and unsuited to discern the adjustment to stress conditions.

How to measure human adaptation in extreme environments: the case of Antarctic wintering-over.

BACKGROUND: Whether wintering-over causes cognitive and sensory impairment and associated adaptation problems is still a subject of debate. Conflicting results reported in the literature may be due to the difference in the experimental tasks. Moreover, interpersonal variability can hide the effects. HYPOTHESIS: Performance on cognitive and psychomotor tasks can be an indicator of adaptation problems. METHODS: Subjects were 10 scientists and 6 technicians (both clinically normal) who wintered-over for a year in the Antarctic. A subset of tasks of the AGARD battery of Standardized Tests for Research with Environmental Stressors (SB) was completed eight times during the isolation. To assess adaptation, the adaptability questionnaire (AQ) was completed by the physician before every performance test. RESULTS: SB showed a sensitive period of adaptation at mid-winter and at the end of the isolation, but the performance in the different tasks did not deteriorate exactly at the same time. No systematic relationship between AQ notations and SB performances was noted. However, three subjects showed significant positive correlations: r > 0.8, p < 0.05 (i.e., low adaptation = low performance). CONCLUSION: Some clinically normal individuals can experience adaptation problems, and SB tasks can be an indicator of these problems when comparisons are done at an individual level.

Psychological study of a crew in long-term space flight simulation.

This research derives from a 60-day isolation study realized for the European Space Agency (ESA) as a simulation of space flights. Three goals were pursued in this study: (a) to study individual and group responses to the stress factors specific to the simulation; (b) to make a critical comparison of a variety of tools and methods used for this purpose; and (c) to express recommendations for future research. Direct methods (questionnaires, tests) and indirect methods (observation) were used in an individual and a whole group assessment. The group did not show important stress manifestations during the isolation period. It maintained its cohesion by opposing the external authority. Some tools were more efficient than others: The qualitative and indirect methods have revealed much more information than the quantitative or direct methods that reinforced one's defense to avoid criticism.

Group dynamics during the EXEMSI isolation study. Experimental Campaign for the European Manned Space Infrastructure.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the social behavior, interrelations, cohesion, efficiency and team formation of the crew during 60 days of isolation and confinement, to make a critical comparison of a variety of test methods used for this purpose and to formulate recommendations for their applications in selection, training and support for future studies of this kind. The study consisted of three phases: (1) the pre-isolation period, in which initial individual and group assessment were made to understand the motivation, characteristics, and styles of the crew members, the state of the crew, and to make a prognosis for the behavior of the group and its members, (2) the isolation period, with tests and observations to follow and analyze behavior and group dynamics of the crew, and to detect manifestations of stress, and (3) the post-isolation period with final assessment and debriefing. During these three periods individual and group tests were carried out. Direct methods, questionnaires and tests, as well as indirect methods, observations of behavior, were used. These had cognitive, affective-emotional and social components; they were quantitative, qualitative or a combination. Before isolation the crew members expressed strong confidence in the team and in their own personal capability. The leadership of the Commander seemed uncontested. Crew functioning during this period was conflict-free, but was structured in a rather rigid and defensive way (isolation of affects, denial of anxiety). Apparently, the members strongly needed to present a good image image of themselves. The relatively short period of the experiment, and the absence of real risk suggested that the crew would be able to maintain their cohesion, but in a real spaceflight situation this behavior could be inadequate and even dangerous. The pre-isolation prognosis for crew behavior during isolation was validated to a large extent. During isolation there were no clear manifestations of stress. Nevertheless, the confinement and isolation were experienced as the major stress factors. The crew members described themselves as a heterogeneous but harmonious group that was successful in their mission. In fact, the team maintained its cohesion by opposing external authority, using management as a scapegoat. Occasionally, in times of crisis, they also criticized ground crew. The Commander supported this attitude. Strongly differences in personality and behavior were noted. Analysis of the sociometric data showed that the asserted harmony was more apparent than real. It is questionable whether the group cohesion would have persisted in a life threatening crisis or even in a prolongation of the experiment. The most reliable instruments for this type of survey seem to be: group methods, non-obstructive tests, indirect instruments, and qualitative tools. The least reliable are: strictly quantitative methods, self-evaluations, standard debriefing techniques, since these reinforced in most cases subjects' defenses in an unconscious avoidance of criticism. Several recommendations were made for the organization, definition of objectives, experiment selection, crew selection, roles of external management and personnel. In particular, it is felt to be necessary to explain the aims of the mission to the subjects, to give clear and complete information, to establish confident and cooperative relations with the crew. It is essential to allow dialogue, to take opinions and suggestions of the crew seriously, and to establish clear rules of confidentiality.

Control of anxiety and acute mountain sickness in Himalayan mountaineers.

This investigation explores the relationship between psychological factors and acute mountain sickness (AMS). AMS occurs in most people staying more than a few hours above 3500 m. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anorexia, etc. Subjects studied were climbers preparing for an expedition to the Himalayas (80 men and 20 women). The psychological investigation consisted in two mono-factorial tests: STAI (anxiety inventory) and Bortner stress scale. After the expedition, subjects were classified into two groups: those who were susceptible to AMS and those who were not. Results indicated that the two groups differed for trait-anxiety on one hand, and for the level of anxiety before the final ascent on the other hand. In both cases, subjects susceptible to AMS were significantly more anxious than those who were not.