Psychological selection of Antarctic personnel: the "SOAP" instrument

Grant, Iain; Eriksen, Hege R.; Marquis, Peter; Orre, Ingrid J.; Palinkas, Lawrence A.; Suedfeld, Peter; Svensen, Erling; Ursin, Holger. 2007 Psychological selection of Antarctic personnel: the "SOAP" instrument. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 78 (8). 793-800.

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Abstract/Summary

INTRODUCTION: The potential advantage of including a psychological test battery in the selection process for service in the Antarctic was examined in 348 applicants for employment in Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). METHODS: Applicants were screened with the Selection of Antarctic Personnel battery (SOAP) consisting of nine well-known psychological instruments. The SOAP scores were not revealed to the BAS selection panel members, who based the selection on operational criteria, interview, and a general medical examination. The SOAP scores of those selected (n = 177) were further compared with station commanders' reports of winter adaptation (n = 140), and subjective health complaints (SHC) (n = 86). RESULTS: There were no significant agreements between SOAP scores (n = 348) and those actually selected by the BAS panel (121 accepted, 227 not accepted) (Cohen's Kappas for inter-rater agreement < 0.20). Participants characterized as exceptionally well adapted by the station commanders had higher scores on Openness on the NEO-FFI (the "Big Five" personality inventory) [Odds Ratio (OR) = 5.2], and higher levels of Emotion-Focused Coping (OR = 2.7) and fewer SHC (OR = 0.3). Participants rated by station commanders as "poor" had higher levels of Defensive Hostility (OR = 4.2), and lower levels of Emotion-Focused Coping (OR = 0.3). Women had higher rates of success in service than men, but were less likely to be selected. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Adding a psychological test battery would improve the odds of selecting good performers, and reduce the odds of selecting poor performers.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Other
ISSN:	0095-6562
Additional Keywords:	extreme environments, polar work, subjective health complaints, diurnal rhythm
NORA Subject Terms:	Health
Date made live:	22 Feb 2011 15:52 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11743

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Other

ISSN:

0095-6562

Additional Keywords:

extreme environments, polar work, subjective health complaints, diurnal rhythm

NORA Subject Terms:

Health

Date made live:

22 Feb 2011 15:52 +0 (UTC)