Open AccessPsychological health in the summer team of an Indian expedition to Antarctica
Author(s) -
Shubham Khandelwal,
Abhijeet Bhatia,
Ashwani Kumar Mishra
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of mental health and human behaviour/journal of mental health and human behaviour
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2543-1897
pISSN - 0971-8990
DOI - 10.4103/0971-8990.174596
Subject(s) - psychology , psychological health , oceanography , geography , meteorology , applied psychology , physical geography , geology , clinical psychology
Context: Number of scientific personnel traveling to Antarctica for short summer stay far outnumbers winter personnel. Hence, psychological issues confronting such personnel need to be analyzed in detail. This study aims to study changes in psychological health, cognitive functioning, changes in motivation levels, and tobacco and alcohol consumption during a summer in Antarctica. Aims: To study changes in psychological health, cognitive functioning, changes in motivation levels and tobacco and alcohol consumption during a summer in Antarctica. Setting and Design: This cohort study was conducted on 33 summer team members of 27 th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. Subjects and Methods: Seven instruments were administered to assess general health, alcohol and tobacco dependence, memory and cognitive functioning of the team members. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed for statistical significance using nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed Rank Sum Test. Results: Scores on social dysfunction, depression, and somatic symptoms increased. Tobacco consumption also increased concomitantly. However, memory and cognitive function were not impaired. Alcohol consumption did not change. None of the subjects needed medication or evacuation for psychological difficulties. Conclusion: Psychological issues might manifest themselves even during a short stay in Antarctica during the summer season