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PSYCHOSOCIAL ADAPTATION, SOCIAL INTERACTION PROCESSES AND PERFORMANCE OF CREWS DURING SFINCSS ISOLATION STUDY:  CULTURAL, GENDER AND PERSONAL FACTORS.   J. Lapierre, Health Science Module, Universitй du Quйbec а Hull.

Objectives of this study were to understand and identify key elements related to positive psychosocial adaptation to the environment, to explore and compare the social interactions of different crews and to develop an explanation of the concept of performance, as described and experienced by crewmembers. Grounded theory and the Fourth Generation Evaluation Research methodology were used. Questionnaires reflecting processes over time, interviews, SFINCSS information material, focus groups and participant observation during 110 days comprised the data-gathering strategies. QSR NUD*IST (Qualitative Solutions and Research-Non Numerical Unstructured Data Indexing Searching and Theorizing) was the software used to analyze the data. External stresses related to operational, ethical and managerial issues, and internal stresses related to human interactions and behaviors have been critical in adaptation. Psychosocial support to crews must be redefined in a proactive-participative way with crewmembers. Passive support and unilateral management of crisis during SFINCSS were insufficient to reduce the negative impact of the incidents on the collective mission and to prevent one crewmember from leaving at day 60. The three main crews differed in social interaction processes in relation to both internal and external life. Cultural and personality elements seem to explain such differences. Specific attitudes, behaviors and perception of gender-oriented roles in mixed crews during SFINCSS show that women’s roles in space missions are culturally defined. Styles of leadership and decision-making inside the three crews varied. Results indicate a need for integrated knowledge development in the area of human interactions, especially for long-term missions. If support to astronauts is to effectively promote adaptation, it cannot be developed without the input of those receiving it. Finally, new sets of criteria should be given weight to guide astronaut selection.