Do Psychosocial Decrements Occur During the 2nd Half of Space Missions?
- Paper number
IAC-06-A1.1.02
- Author
Dr. Nick Kanas, University of California and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Jennifer Boyd Ritsher, University of California and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Stephanie Saylor, University of California and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
PURPOSE. Anecdotal reports from space and studies from space analogue settings on Earth suggest that people living and working for long periods of time in isolated and confined environments (ICEs) experience mood and performance decrements after the halfway point of the mission. According to this view, the halfway point is seen as an important milestone, in that people are happy to arrive at this point in time, but then realize that they have another half to go until they can return home. This may result in drops in morale and mood and the emergence of interpersonal problems, especially in the weeks after the halfway point (the “3rd quarter phenomenon”). METHODS. A review of the literature found some ICE studies that supported the emergence of 2nd half decrements as a typical phenomenon and other studies that did not. To test for such time effects in space, we studied 13 astronauts and 17 cosmonauts who participated in the Shuttle/Mir and International Space Station (ISS) programs to see if there were mood and group behavior decrements in the 2nd half of the missions, which typically lasted 4 to 7 months on-orbit. Subjects completed weekly questionnaires composed of mood and interpersonal environment measures that allowed us to track crewmember psychosocial status over time. RESULTS. We failed to find evidence of substantial changes in mood or interpersonal behavior over time, either in the second half or during any quarter of the missions. Patterns varied between individuals: some seemed to show decrements in the 2nd half, but this was not true for the majority. CONCLUSIONS. On-orbit space crews do not typically exhibit decrements in psychosocial functioning in the 2nd half of their missions. The perception that this may be a general phenomenon may be due to memorable anecdotal reports from individuals. One possible reason for the lack of such decrements on-orbit may be related to the activities of support personnel in Mission Control in helping crewmembers cope with long-duration missions, unlike the case of people wintering in the Antarctic who may receive less support from the outside. Because such Earth-initiated support will be less feasible on a long distance planetary mission, it may be that expeditionary crewmembers traveling to Mars and beyond may exhibit 2nd half problems, so it is important to continue monitoring them for emotional and interpersonal problems throughout the mission.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A1.1.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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