Astronauts work in very challenging environments where they are forced to cope up with multiple stresses. For the astronauts well being and a successful mission, they have to ensure that they maintain their positive psychological appearances and good interpersonal relationships. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the basic attribute for the successful astronaut is psychological and emotional stability. Once the astronaut is on Mars, the planet becomes the new home, and a deep sense of purpose will enable them to maintain the psychological stability and focus on the mission (Coon & Mitterer, 2008). (Botella, Baños, Etchemendy, García-Palacios, & Alcañiz, 2016) It provides an overview of Mars -500, which was intended to study the challenges present to long-duration space flight. The crew was confined in small aircraft with limited facilities. Space programs include traveling to inhospitable planets like Mars, and most psychologists use applied research in psychology to address the challenges astronauts are likely to face (Coon & Mitterer, 2008).
Introduction
There are many psychological stressors experienced by astronauts that pose risks to the performance, safety, and well being (Cohen et al., 2016). These stressors are caused by high flights, which involve rapid acceleration and deceleration, feel of boredom and isolation, close confinement with others in the aircraft, and the collision or system failure, among other challenges. Some stressors sometimes are from the astronaut’s career because they undergo prolonged absences from their homes for the mission and training. They must be able to withstand the challenges in order to succeed in large bureaucracies and readjustment to their families when they return to Earth. Currently, there are many psychological theories that have been put in place to help the astronauts cope with these challenges (Coon & Mitterer, 2008). The research paper explains how humanistic and positive psychological theories can be employed to help the astronauts cope with the challenges in space.
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Psychological theories
To help the astronauts deal with the psychological stress, they are likely to experience before, and during the mission on Mars, psychological theories need to be incorporated. First is the Positive psychology theory since many psychologists have overlooked what really makes life worth living, and secondly the humanistic psychology which will help mitigate some of this negative stress experienced during training and the mission itself. When stress persists, one can develop chronic stress, which is harmful to one's health and general well being (Coon & Mitterer, 2008).
The positive psychology theory focuses on the positive experiences of human beings. There are positive emotional states that will be used to contribute to the greater emotional resilience of the astronauts. A system in which the astronauts can communicate their feelings and fear so that by the time they go to space they would have spent time together and would be able to communicate efficiently will be developed, and this will enable them to maintain a positive atmosphere and high morale (Vakoch & Administration, 2012).
The group of psychologist also will train the astronauts on ways of balancing their emotions because their minds and bodies are different and some techniques will not work for other, for instance, some brains can meditate while others are not able (Coon & Mitterer, 2008). Working with them in order to develop which technique works best for each astronaut to mitigate stress is important during training and in the mission itself (Vakoch & Administration, 2012).
Humanistic psychology theory will be employed. According to Vakoch & Administration (2012), humanistic psychology focuses on the positive side of human beings rather than past experiences; it typically holds the fact that people are inherently good. It provides an environment where astronauts will be able to share their feelings and stress without judgment and fear. The astronauts will develop a stronger sense of self and access their feelings in order for them to gain a sense of meaning in life. Two types of humanistic therapies will be used which are; gestalt therapy focuses on techniques that make the astronauts aware of their feelings and client-centered therapy, which provides an environment that the astronauts can re-establish their true identity (Vakoch & Administration, 2012).
To support each astronaut through
his or her individual stresses – in addition to other
psychological challenges they will face – the
incorporation of positive psychology practices will
mitigate some of the negative consequences of
participating in an exploration mission before they come
To support each astronaut through
his or her individual stresses – in addition to other
psychological challenges they will face – the
incorporation of positive psychology practices will
mitigate some of the negative consequences of
participating in an exploration mission before they come
Research methods and findings
The focus of applied research psychology is to find solutions for real-life problems through research and by applying psychological theories. The Case study draws on both scientific findings from positive psychology and insights and also humanistic psychology, which helps to reduce stress among the astronauts during manned missions to Mars.
Positive Psychology
Vakoch & Administration (2012) found that the use of positive psychology theory will enable one to fully recognize and understand what is already good in their lives since the lack of positivity leads to depression. Astronauts are able to apply what is best about them against the challenges they are likely to face. Positive psychology will inspire and give good performance among the astronauts; it is the scientific study of human well-being as well as strengths and provides evidence-based mechanisms associated with a successful mission. Positive psychology will bring one's attention from the negative thoughts such as high flights, which involves rapid acceleration and deceleration, therefore, achieving a successful mission.
Humanistic Psychology
The use of Humanistic psychology treats depression, panic disorders, and anxiety, as analyzed by Vakoch & Administration (2012). It contributed to new ways of thinking about the mental health of the astronauts, thus offering a new approach to understanding human behaviors. The astronauts will be able to control and determine their state of mental health. Humanistic psychology also takes into account environmental factors on the experience of astronaut's mission. Humanistic psychology removes the stigma, and the astronauts are able to focus on the present rather than on the past, which might affect the present. It also enables the astronauts to view those whom they work with as having similar needs as them, therefore, being able to bear with confinement during the flights and achieve a successful mission.
Conclusion
Astronauts are always in a long-duration mission and are subject to different factors that would eventually affect their health and the performance in the mission. The psychological research has shown some of the challenges, which include; confinement, boredom, and isolation. These problems have posed the greatest challenges to Mars exploration. Mars's unique environment presents challenges that that are different from the ones encountered on the planet Earth. To ensure successful missions, astronauts need to undergo psychological evaluations in order to establish whether one is able to fly in a NASA mission. The two psychological theories, Positive psychology, which proposes that one should focus on making life worth living and humanistic psychology, which focuses on the positive side of life, enable the astronauts to cope with the stress.
References
Botella, C., Baños, R. M., Etchemendy, E., García-Palacios, A., & Alcañiz, M. (2016). Psychological countermeasures in manned space missions: “EARTH” system for the Mars-500 project. Computers in Human Behavior , 55 , 898-908. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.10.010
Cohen, I., Den Braber, N., Smets, N. J., Van Diggelen, J., Brinkman, W., & Neerincx, M. A. (2016). Work content influences on cognitive task load, emotional state, and performance during a simulated 520-days' Mars mission. Computers in Human Behavior , 55 , 642-652. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.10.011
Coon, D., & Mitterer, J. O. (2008). Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior . Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Vakoch, D. A., & Administration, N. A. (2012). Psychology of Space Exploration: Contemporary Research in Historical Perspective . Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
