COPING AND BIOLOGICAL STANDARDS OF SLEEPING IN ANTARCTIC EXPEDICIONARIES

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation of coping strategies and sleep patterns in 13 male naval aviation expeditioners at the beginning and end of a summer expedition to Antarctica. To investigate the coping and sleep variables, the BriefCOPE scale was used, a biological rhythm questionnaire and a sociodemographic form to control variables. Emotion-focused coping strategies of the dysfunctional type increased significantly throughout the exposure and there was no relationship between changes in sleep patterns and coping strategies between the onset and end of exposure to the environment. Attention to psychological factors in polar environments can prevent accidents in context.