Psychological adaptation to extreme environments : Antarctica as a space analogue

• Published in: Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal
• Main Authors: Tortello, Camila, Barbarito, Marta, Cuiuli, Juan Manuel, Golombek, Diego A., Vigo, Daniel Eduardo, Plano, Santiago Andrés
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Juniper Publisher 2018
• Subjects: RITMO CIRCADIANO; TRASTORNOS AFECTIVOS; CONFINAMIENTO CONTROLADO; ESPACIO; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://repositorio.uca.edu.ar/handle/123456789/9033; https://doi.org/10.19080/PBSIJ.2018.09.555768

Abstract: Space analogues are settings where conditions can be reproduced to study physiological and psychological variables experienced in space. Antarctica is one of the most reliable analogues to assess the effects of isolation, confinement, light-dark cycle and extreme environmental conditions in human being. In the present review we describe some of the aspects of psychological adaptation to extreme latitudes.Most of the studies found some evidence about changes in emotional states during Antarctica expeditions. However, these changes are highly variable, and beneficial as well as detrimental aspects of adaptation have been described. Adaptation to extreme environments is a complex phenomenon that needs multidimensional studies to be fully understood, comprising aspects such as seasonality, psychological traits, isolation conditions and social interactions.