Interpersonal Behavior in an Isolated and Confined Environment

The article discusses a study that focused on interpersonal needs and investigated whether interpersonal behavior of Antarctic personnel deteriorated after the halfway point of prolonged isolation and confinement. Twenty-three personnel who resided in Antarctica for 14 months served as participants. The mean age of participants was 39 years (SD = 8.7 years). This study uses the FIRO-B questionnaire that assessed the dimensions of interpersonal behavior. The findings indicate a greater need to associate with other personnel but with less intimacy. Inversely, personnel want others to establish close relationships with them but with a low level of interaction. Besides, the overall interpersonal behavior (the mean score of six scales of FIRO-B) reveals a significant improvement in the first versus the second half of a prolonged isolated and confined environment.