Predicting positive and negative change in expeditioners at 2-months and 12-months post Antarctic employment

• Main Author: Moult, C
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of Tasmania 2014
• Subjects: Psychology and Cognitive Sciences; Psychology; Health; Clinical and Counselling Psychology; Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica; Australian Antarctic Program
• Online Access: http://ecite.utas.edu.au/97000

Extreme weather conditions and geographical isolation are among many factors thatrender Antarctica a challenging environment for employees to sustain optimum levels offunctioning. However, challenges associated with Antarctic employment can extendbeyond their time on the ice to influence post-Antarctic adjustment. The current studyinvestigated predictors of positive and negative psychological change reported byexpeditioners 2 and 12 months post-return from the ice to identify factors thatinfluence adjustment following Antarctic employment. The sample comprised 383 (277male, 106 female) expeditioners, recruited from Australian Antarctic program betweenyears 2005 and 2010. Scores on the Changes in Outlook Questionnaire (CiOQ) were examined at 2 and 12 months post-return. Results indicated that positive and negativepsychological change at both time points was predicted by pre-departure and post-return factors, not by experiences whilst on the ice. It was also identified that predictors ofpositive and negative change differed as a function of relationship status. This indicatesthat expeditioners would benefit from proactive prevention and intervention strategiesprior to departure and upon return from their employment, not simply whilst working inAntarctica. Additionally, the nature of such interventions needs to consider relationshipstatus as a factor that can influence post-return adaptation and functioning.