Psychological changes arising from an Antarctic stay: systematic overview

• Published in: Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas)
• Main Authors: Marilene Zimmer, João Carlos Centurion Rodrigues Cabral, Fernanda Czarneski Borges, Karen Gonçalves Côco, Bianca da Rocha Hameister
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Spanish; French; Portuguese
• Published: Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas
• Subjects: antarctic regions; environmental psychology; social isolation; stress; Psychology; BF1-990; Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-166X2013000300011; https://doaj.org/article/ea90f6f8554f476cb398200861e02881

Long-term stays in extreme environments, such as Polar Regions, may cause significant changes in the health and well-being of individuals. A systematic overview aimed to map studies about the psychological effects on Antarctic expeditioners. The reviewed data were categorized and divided into two thematic axes: Negative Effects, resulting from harmful psychophysiological variations caused by exposure to the polar stressors, which may present seasonal symptom patterns, altering cognitive performance, mood and interpersonal relationships; and Positive Effects, such as salutogenic results arising from successful adaption to environmental adversities. Due to the great deal of evidence, it is suggested that protection factors should be promoted through preventive approaches, such as psychological training and support in order to reduce symptoms and generate satisfactory adaptation to Antarctica.