Final Project

Emily M.

Legislator:  Harold V. Dutton, Representative

The Final Frontier of Psychology:

Psychological Stresses Intrinsic to Prolonged Missions in Space and Subsequent Proposed Treatments 

     

Throughout the years, mankind has gazed up at the sky and wondered, "Are we alone?  Is there other life in the universe?  What untold discoveries wait for us on alien worlds?"  In response to these questions of life, the universe, and everything, the human brain, out of a possibly infinite number of rather pleasant responses, decided to react in what can only be described as an antagonistic and utterly xenophobic manner: it chose to pair the idea of extraterrestrial beings with the frightening concept of of a hostile invasion.  This was almost directly due to the fact that the people living before and during the early space age in America were constatnly faced with the threat of foreign takeover, whether strategically as in arms development and nuclear capibility, or financially as in the commercial market and product development.  However, these conditions notwithstanding, the repercussions of this arbitrary decision on the part of the human psyche have lasted with us to this day.  Thus the awesome power of the human mind is illustrated, as one thought, coupled inconcgruously with another, forms the basis for decades of fear and hostility directed against a fantasy foe.

      

As shown above, the brain responds to stress in ways that are often unpredictable and not always logical.  In light of this, concerns about the psychological health, safety, and stability of the men and women manning extended-duration missions to Mars should be high on NASA's priority list.  Understanding these subjects and their possible solutions is important to the success of future Mars missions and should therefore be explored as thoroughly as possible.  Hence, the following is a condensed compilation concerning past research into the possible psychological problems that may arise on a long-duration manned mission to the planet Mars.  In addition, preliminary techniques for reducing psychological strss, as well as probable solutions, are included.

      

One of the best pieces of advice for anyone designing an extended-duration space mission may be the following: "Because of the lengthening of space missions, behavioral and social scientists must plan carefully as the consequences of poor social planning in space missions can be as severe as those of poor engineering"   (http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-483/contents.htm).  This tidbit of knowledge is essential to those engaged in planning the Mars mission since the psychological concerns of the crew will be just as important as any physical factors involved.  Currently, the only experience exoerts have regarding long stays in alien environments is the data gathered from the astronauts and cosmonauts that have lived aboard the late Russian space station MIR.  This data, however, is not sufficient to postulate what would happen during a 2.5 year voyage to and from Mars.  On such an extended voyage, conflict in the social system could emerge in different forms.  Typical forms include arguments, social "friction," distrust, refusal to cooperate, and (when the conflict becomes severe) physical violence.  There has been very little evidence of severe disagreement between the crew members in past missions, but to avoid possible conflict, "task-interdependence and cross-links among individuals" should be encouraged to promote cooperative contact (http://www.marsacademy.com/crew/crew2.htm).  Such group interaction is important to be prepared for.  As the Mars Academy website states, "Because of the amount of time that members of a mission spend in space with limited communication from Earth, small changes in the environment, and no direct access to different individuals, psychology should be interrelated with concerns on the dynamics of human emotion and individual motivation and productivity in spaceflight"  (http://www.marsacademy.com/crew.crew2.htm).  Stressors in the unfamiliar environment of Mars can cause such psychological problems as anxiety, insomnia, depression, emotional hypersensitivity, and irritability.  Certain stressors, known as poststressors, can continue to influence behavior even after the triggering stimulus has been removed.  In extended spaceflight, poststressors are particularly bothersome, especially a form of poststressor behavior that involves decreased sensitivity to and increased hostility toward others (http:www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-483/contents.htm). 

      

These types of stress-induced reactions are not so far-fetched as one might think.  Imagine that a research crew is stationed on the planet Mars for an extended period of time, with no contact with anyone other that the additional members of the team.  In everyday life, there are little annoyances that would normally be vented and forgotten.  In space, however, there are no outside channels into which to feed these emotions, and irritation caused by minor incidents builds in the astronaut's mind as he hides his growing unease.  Such isolation eventually leads to anger on the part of the isolated.  He "blows up" at his fellow scientists, focusing his subliminal hostility at them in an attempt to channel his anger elsewhere.  This response prompts further isolation, wither self-imposed to escape those he is angry at, or inadvertantly caused by the rest of the group as they avoid provoking the agressive crewmate.  Thus a self-perpetuating cycle is born, caused by the psychological stresses to the crewman and fueled by his own anger and resulting behavioral changes in himself and his teammates. 

      

In order to solve any such problems that may arise during the mission, certain precautions should be taken to solve these situations before they occur.  Bold Endeavors, a book based on 15 years of research for NASA and the Department of Defense, identifies the principles of habitability and presents more than 200 specific recommendations to facilitate human adjustment and performance under stressful conditions.  One of the main themes in the book is, "Attention to behavioral issues is important under conditions of isolation and confinement, but interpersonal and psychological problems are not ineveitable if appropriate precautions are taken" (http://members.aol.com/jstuster/boldendeavors).  Interventionas that increase personal control over the situation or that render stress more predictable have been found to mitigate poststressor as well as stressor effects.  Also, emotional stability is very important.  Future screening procedures must extend beyond simply refusing emotionally unstable candidates and begin accepting only the most psychologically healthy subjects (http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-483/contents.htm).  The TAS website suggests that astronauts be supplied with pictures, games, movies, music, and other recreational items to occupy their time and remind them of home.  Communication with Earth will be a primary factor in the psychological health of the explorers, and some means must be found to reduce or eliminate the time lag that will be present in communication between Earth and Mars(http://www.aerospacescholars.org).  Attention should be given to providing a variety during the trip; simple things such as meals, sleep patterns, and recreation can influence performance and morale to a great extent.  Training should also be modified to direct attention to building personal relationships that increase sommunications and decrease psychological stress (http://www.marsacademy.com/crew/crew2.htm).

      

As Roald Amundsen said, "The human factor is three quarters of any expedition."  His assessment supports the belief that the true needs of a voyage to Mars, or any space mission, involve the well-being of the human beings concerned.  One of the most important ingredients in a participant's health is their psychological state, and it should not be ignored for the sake of time, money, or any other factor.  Mental health is an issue that affects every part of a mission, and it should be addressed as such: with proper screening/training procedures and research for each mission.  After all, if many more "arbitrary decisions" are made by an over-stressed astronaut's mind, the first manned mission to Mars might become as much a fantasy as those invading little green men.  

Last Updated:  09/10/01