Peculiarities of interpersonal relationships of Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions participants

Larysa Bakhmutova

doi:10.32437/mhgcj.v4i2.96

Authors

Larysa Bakhmutova National Antarctic Scientific Center https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5119-236X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32437/mhgcj.v4i2.96

Keywords:

psychophysiological and emotional changes, socio-spatial isolation in a small group, interpersonal relationships, well-being, mental health, extreme conditions, winterers, Antarctica

Abstract

Introduction: Extreme conditions of the Antarctic environment is affected both on the psychophysiological state of peoples and interpersonal relationships in a small group of winterers.

Purpose: To determinate the peculiarities of interpersonal relations in an isolated small group of winterers of Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions

Methodology: The study was conducted by diagnostic Technique for interpersonal relationships T. Leary for self-assessment of behavior (Leary, 1957). The predominant type of relations in the group of winterers was revealed as a component of interpersonal interaction. Monitoring was carried out in the last three years in the dynamics of "before" and "after" the expedition.

Results and Discussion: The study identified the relationship of "dominance" prevails in 70% of winterers before the expedition and increases to 84% on the end of expedition. 73% of winterers to establish friendly relations and cooperation. However, we observe a transition from friendliness at the beginning of the expedition to a gradual increase in aggression in interpersonal relationships after returning from the expedition by 17%. During the expedition (in the dynamics) we observed a gradual decrease in the average indicators of "subordination" and "dependence" as factors of interpersonal relations "dominance" and "aggression". There significant inverse correlation between the level of adaptation to the extreme conditions of Antarctica and the dependent type of relationship (r = - 0.63 *; p = 0.04). According to the expert assessment, such people have problem with adaptation to the environment of Antarctica and could be complicated relations and interaction in an isolated group of winterers.

Conclusions: 1) The "friendliness" and "dominance" are the predominant type of relationship in a small group of winterers: 2) The authoritarianism, aggression, selfishness and dependence are the inadmissible and undesirable types of interpersonal relations in extreme conditions of relative isolation on the Antarctic station

Author Biography

Larysa Bakhmutova, National Antarctic Scientific Center

National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

References

Bakhmutova, L. (2019, May). Dynamics of the self-conception of the psychological state of the Ukrainian Antarctic Expeditions participants. IX International Antarctic Conference Dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in the name of peace and development of international cooperation (pp. 203–204). Kyiv, http://uac.gov.ua/international-cooperation/mak/mak-2019/
Bakhmutova, L. (2019). Factors and models of interpersonal interaction of participants in long-term Ukrainian Antarctic Expeditions. Fundamental and applied research in practice of leading scientific schools, 36(6), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.33531/farplss.2019.6.6
Kokun, O., & Bakhmutova, L. (2020). Dynamics of Indicators of Expeditoners’ Psychological States During Long Antarctic Stay. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 20(1), 5–12. https://www.ijpsy.com/volumen20/num1/530.html
Kokun, O. M. & Shamich, O. M. (2016). Psychological characteristics of Paralympic athletes’ self-realisation. Social Welfare. Interdisciplinary Approach, 6(2), 138–147. http://socialwelfare.eu/index.php/sw/article/view/273
Leary, T. (1957). Interpersonal Diagnosis of Personality: A Functional Theory and Methodology for Personality Evaluation. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Khandelwal S. K., Bhatia A., & Mishra A. K. (2017). Psychological Adaptation of Indian Expeditioners During Prolonged Residence in Antarctica. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(3), 313-319. http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5545;year=2017;volume=59;issue=3;spage=313;epage=319;aulast=Khandelwal
Mullin, JR. (2006). Some Psychological Aspects of Isolated Antarctic Living. American Journal of Psychiatry 117(4), 323-325. 10.1176/ajp.117.4.323
Norris, K., Paton, D., & Ayton, J. (2010). Future directions in Antarctic psychology research. Antarctic Science, 22(04), 335-342. 10.1017/s0954102010000271
Pagel, J. I. & Choukèr, A. (2016). Effects of isolation and confinement on humans-implications for manned space explorations. Journal of Applied Physiology, 120(12), 1449-1457, https://journals.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/japplphysiol.00928.2015
Palinkas, L. A., & Suedfeld, P. (2008). Psychological effects of polar expeditions. The Lancet, 371(9607), 153-163.
Scott, R. F. (1972). «Terra Nova» Expedition to the Antarctic, 1910-1912: An account of Scott's last expedition. Hardcover: Blandford Press.
Roberts, R. (2011). Psychology at the end of the world. The Psychologist. British Psychological Society, 24 (1), 22-25.
Sandal, G. M., Leon, G., & Palinkas, L. (2006). Human challenges in polar and space environments. Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 5(2-3), 281-296.
Smith, N., Kinnafick, F., & Saunders, B. (2017). Coping Strategies Used During an Extreme Antarctic Expedition. Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments, 13(1), Article 1. Doi: 10.7771/2327-2937.1078
Strange, R. & Klein, W. (1973). Emotional and social adjustment of resent us winter-over parties in isolated Antarctic Station. The Proceedings of the SCAR/IUPS/IUBS Symposium on Human Biology and Medicine in the Antarctic, 410-416. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-433-08155-5.50043-1