Pediatric needs in the Arctic: a challenge and an opportunity.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
SEARCH · Search PubMed
Results for “COLD CLIMATE”
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Antarctica natural laboratory and space analogue for psychological research.
This introduction to the special issue traces the history of psychosocial concerns related to Antarctic exploration, from the heroic age of early explorers through the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957 to 1958 to recent and current systematic research projects. The introduction discusses the organization and topics of international psychological investigations in polar stations and summarizes the articles that follow. Living in Antarctica imposes some unusual restrictions as well as opportunities, and it requires psychological adaptation to extreme environmental circumstances. The thrust of previous scientific and popular literature has been to focus on the negative effects of the situation and ignore the positive ones; however, ongoing studies are bringing about a more balanced view. Having an accurate understanding is important not only intrinsically and for appropriate application in the Antarctic itself but also in analogous extreme and unusual environments. These include extended space flight and space habitation, such as the projected voyage to Mars.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
How self-image and personality influence performance in an isolated environment.
The purpose of this research is to explore the relationships between self-image and personality characteristics with cognitive impairment in an isolated group during wintering. Cognitive performance is measured with the Stres Battery (SB), self-image by Abraham's Matrix of Intra- and Inter-Processes in Groups (MIPG), and interpersonal characteristics by the usual personality inventories. Results show that good cognitive performances are related to discordances between the real self and the ideal self and that bad performances are related to harmony between these two images. Moreover, the best cognitive performers have low scores in extroversion and assertiveness. The results are discussed in terms of specific adaptive reactions to wintering.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Perceptions of danger, risk taking, and outcomes in a remote community.
On the surface, the severity of the Antarctic environment is sufficient to account for the injury rates that might occur there. However, it is argued that injury occurrence is the outcome of multiple factors. A number of such factors, both in the nature of work in the Antarctic and in the characteristics of the human beings who work there are reviewed. An area that has received little attention is individual risk perceptions. It is contended that risk perceptions need to be taken into account when assessing the contributing factors to individual risk taking, as measured by accidents that occur. The literature on risk perceptions is reviewed as a precursor to an empirical study of risk perceptions and injuries at an Antarctic station. The referent for expeditioner practice and home comparisons is Australia.
Accidents↗
Preliminary studies on the psychological adjustment in the Italian Antarctic summer campaigns.
Up until now, no significant emotional or cognitive modifications have been found in psychological studies performed during Italian Antarctic summer campaigns, which last from 2 to 5 months. A substantial emotional stability and a general satisfactory adjustment of the expedition participants emerged in the research. To investigate the coping strategies used to deal with the Antarctic environment, the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Ways of Coping Inventory were administered to a group of 11 Italian expeditioners before leaving and before returning from the campaign. The results confirm the emotional stability found in the previous studies and show a decrease of several ways of coping. Particularly, there was a decrease in seeking social support and in problem-focused coping. The discussion and interpretation of the findings are reported, and the hypothesis of a frozen reactivity mediated by a possible perceptual defense is suggested.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Is it really so bad? A comparison of positive and negative experiences in Antarctic winter stations.
This study examined the range of positive and negative themes reported by 104 Australian Antarctic winter personnel at four stations during two austral winters. Reports from the expeditioners were subjected to a content analysis using the TextSmart software from SPSS, Inc. Results indicated that, although the list of negative experiences is lengthy, most events are relatively rare. On the other hand, although the list of positive experiences is short, the frequencies with which they are reported are much greater than for most of the problems. Possible explanations for these themes and for future directions are discussed.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Psychological impact of the Antarctic winter on Indian expeditioners.
The authors studied the psychological variables of 25 men who participated in the winter-over team of an Indian expedition to Antarctica for possible associations with seasonality and isolation. It was found that increased cigarette smoking was associated with the stress of the beginning of isolation (March), sleep difficulty was associated with midwinter (June), rapport was at a minimum at the point of maximum isolation in temporal terms (September), and decreased satisfaction with work and life situations was associated with continued isolation (December, January). The study suggested that variables postulated to affect performance undergo changes during the course of wintering over in Antarctica.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Stages of change in mood and behavior during a winter in Antarctica.
Seasonal variation in mood and behavior was examined in 87 American men and women who spent the 1991 austral winter at three different research stations in Antarctica. The South Pole station (90 degrees S) crew reported a significant decline in tension/anxiety, depression, anger, confusion, and fatigue from March to August, followed by a significant increase in tension/anxiety and fatigue and a significant decline in vigor from August to October. The McMurdo station (78 degrees 51' S) crew also reported a significant decline in tension/anxiety from March to July and a significant increase in tension/anxiety from July to August. In contrast, the Palmer station (64 degrees 46' S) crew experienced no significant changes in any mood subscale from May to October. The nonlinear pattern of change in mood suggests that adaptation to prolonged isolation and confinement in an extreme environment occurs in two or three stages.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Psychological adjustment during three Japanese Antarctic research expeditions.
This study investigates the individual characteristics of Japanese polar team members. Four sets of measures from the Polar Psychology Project Battery have been used in Asuka Station. These measures are thought to reflect adjustment and well-being. Data have been collected during 3 consecutive years. The psychological profile of the subjects was relatively stable, and comparable to the standard means of Western sojourners. The results show the subjects were generally high in stress resistance. However, an increase in the Planning Orientation score and a decrease in the Hardiness score appear at the end of the wintering-over. These modifications correspond to psychological changes linked to the approaching end of wintering-over.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
A 1-year, three-couple expedition as a crew analog for a Mars mission.
This study assessed the intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning of a three-couple expedition group that included a 2 1/2-year-old child which was ice-locked on a boat in the High Arctic during a major portion of the expedition. Personality assessment indicated that team members were generally well adjusted, scoring relatively higher on well-being and achievement and relatively lower on stress reactivity. Weekly mood ratings showed that the group exhibited significantly higher positive than negative affect. Reported negative events were relatively most frequent at the beginning of the Arctic stay and toward the end of the darkness period and were lowest during the initial darkness interval. The period of darkness had both a salutary and negative impact. A highly important means of coping with stress was seeking emotional support from one's partner. Selection of couples with strong bonds with their partner appears to be one viable approach for crew selection for long-duration missions.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
People in high latitudes: the "Big Five" personality characteristics of the circumpolar sojourner.
The personality of the polar sojourner has been of interest to psychologists for a number of years. Using the NEO Five Factor Inventory, this study examined the general personality factors of the polar worker compared to a normative population, and how these factors differ according to the worker's occupational classification and the polar region in which he or she is working. It was found that polar workers scored higher than a normative group on all factors except Neuroticism. Comparisons across occupational groups showed that scientists were lower than military personnel on Extraversion and lower than technical/support staff on Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. The analysis by polar region indicated that Antarctic workers were higher than Arctic personnel on Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. A group of Italian Antarctic personnel, completing a translated form of the NEO-FFI, scored lower than the rest of the polar groups on all factors. These findings are discussed in light of various features of the polar environment and Gunderson's 3-predictor model of polar adaptability.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
The field management of hypothermic casualties arising from Scottish mountain accidents.
The purpose of this review is to examine the current literature on hypothermia as it applies to exposure hypothermia of the type encountered in the mountains of Scotland. A brief overview of the problem, illustrated by a case example, is given. The current literature is then explored and then a set of guidelines for mountain rescue personnel is proposed. It is hoped that this article will stimulate debate on the subject to facilitate the development and dissemination of any such guidelines.
Accidents↗
Seasonal affective disorder: the latitude hypothesis revisited.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Cold Climate↗
Suicide and attempted suicide in the Yukon territory.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Working in arctic and sub-arctic conditions: mental health issues.
As Canada expands its activities in the North, it becomes necessary to understand the mental, emotional and health consequences of working in harsh, isolated environments. This paper reviews the pertinent literature and reports on a study, commissioned by Environment Canada, of the working conditions of meterological technicians in 33 isolated stations who were surveyed by questionnaire. Numerous personal interviews and visits to five Arctic stations were also carried out. GHQ scores of psychological distress were significantly higher than in a Saskatchewan community sample but not higher than in male air transport shift workers in Ontario. Sleep disturbances and anergia were the two most prominent symptoms in our sample. The literature also stressed these symptoms as well as alcoholism and a number of curious cognitive phenomena. The importance and problems of group functioning are stressed. Our subjects showed fewer problems than the literature would have predicted, but it is generally agreed that there are few, if any, irreversible sequela of life in the North.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer patients living in an arctic or subarctic area: significant cold-triggered dysesthesias and laryngeal reactions.
Oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) has been proven effective in colorectal cancer. However, side effects such as cold-triggered dysesthesia and laryngo-pharyngeal spasm have been reported. To clarify the side effects of oxaliplatin in a subarctic or arctic setting, a phase II study was performed. In October and November 1999, 8 patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled and treated with oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2 - day 1) and the FLv - Nordic regimen (5-FU 500 mg/m2 and leucovorin 100 mg for 2 days) every 3rd week as second- (6 pts) or third-line (2 pts) therapy. At evaluation in March 2000, 7 patients were alive and 6 PD, 1 SD and 1 PR were obtained. Acute laryngeal reaction was reported by 3 out of 8 patients and cold-triggered dysesthesia by all patients. Six available patients were interviewed by phone. Half of the interviewed patients recommend the therapy to be offered to other patients. In conclusion, oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2) therapy in arctic or subarctic areas during the winter introduces significant cold-triggered symptoms.
Aged↗
The ageing of lung function: cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of an Inuit community.
Three surveys (1969/1970, 1979/1980 and 1989/1990) have examined the impact of acculturation to a sedentary lifestyle on the pulmonary function of a circumpolar native Inuit community. The sample comprised more than 50% of those aged 20-60 yrs, most recently 119 males and 92 females. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) were measured by standard spirometric techniques, and information was obtained on smoking habits and health. Multiple regression equations showed that lung function was affected by height and age, but usually not by age squared. Cross-sectional age coefficients for FVC and FEV1 increased over the period 1969/1970 to 1989/1990. Parallel longitudinal trends were seen in FEV1 (males only). Multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed age-decade*cohort effects for FVC and FEV1 (males but not females). Almost all of the population now smoke (mean +/- SD males 13 +/- 8 cigarettes.day-1; females 11 +/- 7 cigarettes.day-1). However, smoking bears little relationship to lung function perhaps due to limited variance in consumption. About a third of the community have physician-diagnosed and/or radiographically visible chest disease, but with little effect upon pulmonary function. We conclude that an apparent secular trend to a faster ageing of lung function in men is not explained by disease or domestic air pollution. Possible factors include increased lung volumes in young adults, greater pack-years of cigarette exposure, nonspecific respiratory disease, increased inspiration of cold air or altered chest mechanics due to operation of high-speed snowmobiles, and loss of physical fitness.
Acculturation↗
Chilblain lupus erythematosus is associated with antibodies to SSA/Ro.
Chilblain lupus erythematosus (CL) of Hutchinson is a subtype of lupus erythematosus (LE) characterized by erythematous lesions induced by cold, damp climates. A number of patients affected by CL eventually develop features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report here 9 patients with chilblain cutaneous lesions, 6 of them were affected by SLE and 2 by SCLE. The onset of CL preceded the diagnosis of LE, from 1 to 10 years in 3 cases, it was concurrent in one case and was subsequent in the remaining 4 cases. Raynaud's phenomenon and photosensitivity were other prominent clinical features in patients with CL. Nailfold capillaroscopy revealed pathological changes in every patient examined. ANA and anti-SSA/Ro antibodies were detected in all nine patients. Anti-SSB/La were detected in 2 cases, anti-Sm in one case, and anti-Sm and anti-RNP in a one case. Antibodies to dsDNA and complement consumption were found in the six patients with SLE. The fine specificity of anti-SSA/Ro was determined by immunoblotting: anti-60kD and anti-52 kD were detected in three sera, anti-60kD alone in 5 sera, while one serum did not blot. In conclusion, the present study suggests that chilblain LE is associated with SSA/Ro autoantibodies, as is SCLE, hypergammaglobulinemic purpura and neonatal lupus erythematosus.
Adolescent↗