PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF A JAPANESE WINTER-OVER GROUP AT ASUKA STATION, ANTARCTICA

In order to understand the psychological effects of Antarctic isolatio n and confinement on Japanese expeditioners, psychological studies wer e done on eight members of a wintering-over party at Asuka Station bet ween December 1990 and February 1992. Mean age of the subjects was 34. 8 +/- 5.56 yr. The study includes self assessment questionnaires, psyc hological tests introduced by the Polar Psychology Project (PPP), a bi bliographycal study and photographic measurements. There was no pathol ogical depression in midwinter. Subjective and cumulative fatigue symp toms were more noticiable in the older individuals. The Telic Dominanc e Scale was significantly correlated with the Anxiety Sensitivity Inde x. The Sense of Coherence Inventory and the Personal View Survey showe d an interrating correlation. By analyzing a daily group photograph, s easonal variations in mood and behavior of individuals have been clari fied. Consequently, it is hoped that observation of non-verbal signals such as facial expression, clothing, and postures may lead to the dev elopment of a new methodological framework for the long-term plan of p sychological investigation of the men under severe stress.