Psychophysiological Characteristics Related to the Functional State of the Members of the Soviet-American Arctic Bering Bridge Expedition

Abstract

Psychophysiological testing was carried out on the 12 members of the Soviet-American Bering Expedition team prior to the start of the expedition and at four points along the route through the USSR. The group also completed daily ratings of anxiety, well-being, activity, and positive mood. Team members demonstrated good psychological adjustment and personality characteristics reflective of high energy levels and low depression. There were several significant differences in psychophysiological functioning in relation to ethnic or national origin groupings. Asignificantly more positive mood level and lesser situational anxiety were demonstrated in indigenous team members. Blood pressure levels assessed on males only were normal for ail members, although mean diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the Caucasian group. We conclude that factors of personal adjustment are important to evaluate in predicting human psychosocial behavior in extreme climatic conditions.