PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGE FOLLOWING A LONG SAIL TRAINING VOYAGE

A small number of previous studies have demonstrated that expeditions benefit their participants, mainly due to an increase in self-esteem. In this study, trainees on a transatlantic voyage completed various ps ychometric questionnaires before and after the voyage. The results wer e compared with controls tested at two equivalent times. The expected significant improvement in self-esteem was demonstrated and there were also significant improvements in coping. Self-esteem among the women improved more than in the men. Women were found to gain in the use of humour as a coping strategy. There was a trend toward reduction in psy chological distress and there was no evidence of any adverse effects. Volunteers taking part in this type of challenging experience can expe ct to benefit from it. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.