Interpersonal conflicts in spaceflight: Difference between revisions
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'''A Comprehensive Approach to Conflict Resolution'''<ref>Garmel GM. Conflict Resolution in Emergency Medicine. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine: Clinical Essentials. 2nd ed. Saunders; 2013:1615-1620.</ref>
===A Comprehensive Approach to Conflict Resolution<ref>Garmel GM. Conflict Resolution in Emergency Medicine. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine: Clinical Essentials. 2nd ed. Saunders; 2013:1615-1620.</ref>===
 
#Acknowledge the presence of a conflict.  
1) Acknowledge the presence of a conflict.  
#Maintain a broad perspective.  
 
#Separate the parties from the source of the conflict.  
2) Maintain a broad perspective.  
#Clarify and identify the root cause of the conflict.  
 
#Address one problem at a time, starting with the easiest.  
3) Separate the parties from the source of the conflict.  
#Engage the involved parties in a neutral, unbiased environment and manner.  
 
#Listen with understanding and interest, rather than perceived evaluation.  
4) Clarify and identify the root cause of the conflict.  
#Validate all issues and concerns.  
 
#Identify areas of agreement and focus on shared interests.
5) Address one problem at a time, starting with the easiest.  
#Challenge data, facts, and conclusions - not individuals.
 
#Brainstorm solutions in which both parties benefit.
6) Engage the involved parties in a neutral, unbiased environment and manner.  
#Use objective criteria when possible.
 
#Do not delay or prolong conflict resolution.
7) Listen with understanding and interest, rather than perceived evaluation.  
#Implement the plan and regularly reassess the conflict until resolved.  
 
8) Validate all issues and concerns.  
 
9) Identify areas of agreement and focus on shared interests.
 
10) Challenge data, facts, and conclusions - not individuals.
11) Brainstorm solutions in which both parties benefit.
12) Use objective criteria when possible.
13) Do not delay or prolong conflict resolution.
14) Implement the plan and regularly reassess the conflict until resolved.  
 


* Prevention of Interpersonal Conflict in Spaceflight<ref>Flynn, Christopher F. Chapter 19: Behavioral Health and Performance Support. In: Barratt MR, Baker  E, Pool SL, eds. Principles of  Clinical Medicine for Spaceflight. Springer  Nature; 2020.</ref>
* Prevention of Interpersonal Conflict in Spaceflight<ref>Flynn, Christopher F. Chapter 19: Behavioral Health and Performance Support. In: Barratt MR, Baker  E, Pool SL, eds. Principles of  Clinical Medicine for Spaceflight. Springer  Nature; 2020.</ref>

Revision as of 23:38, 15 January 2025

Background

  • Significant physical and psychosocial stressors experienced during mission training, space flight, and mission recovery contribute to the emergence of interpersonal conflicts between crew members.[1]
  • At least one crew has been dissolved before a long-duration flight due to interpersonal conflicts.[2]
  • Interpersonal behavioral issues linked to changes in medical status have significantly contributed to the early termination of several space missions.[3][4]

Clinical Features

Common Sources of Interpersonal Conflict in Spaceflight

  • Dissimilar goals of space travel among crewmembers.
  • Perceived or actual differences in cultural or personal values among crewmembers.
  • Personalization of issues or stressors encountered during spaceflight.
  • Poor communication among crew members.
  • Poor psychosocial adaptation to long-term space travel.
  • Personality or behavioral changes due to a new or exacerbated medical or psychiatric condition, including:[5]
    • Adjustment disorder
    • Anxiety disorder
    • Mood disorder
    • Personality disorder
    • Sleep disorder
    • Substance use disorder
    • Trauma and stressor-related disorder
    • Underlying medical illness

Behavioral Characteristics of Interpersonal Conflict[6]

  • Openly voicing grievances
    • Expressing dissatisfaction or concerns directly to fellow crewmembers.
  • Behavioral changes
    • Notable shifts in behavior during work or rest, including impulsive or risk-seeking actions.
  • Negative personality shifts
    • Development of irritability, hostility, or other adverse personality changes.
  • Impairment of fair judgement
    • Reduced individual or crew ability to make sound decisions, especially under stress.
  • Social withdrawal or subgroup development
    • Decreased cohesion and collaboration manifesting as avoidance of team interactions and/or formation of divisive subgroups.
  • Communication breakdown
    • Withholding or difficulty with conveying or receiving critical information effectively.
  • Team tension and hostility
    • Increased frequency of arguments or passive-aggressive behavior between crew members and/or ground crew.
  • Decline in Team Performance
    • Reduced efficiency and collaboration in completing mission-critical tasks.

Differential Diagnosis

Space medicine

Evaluation

  • Individually address crewmembers in conflict, ensuring unbiased listening. Begin with open-ended questions, followed by targeted prompts.[7]
    • Evaluating interpersonal conflicts may require multiple interactions with crewmembers, with encouragement for continued discussion as needed.
    • Avoid aggressively questioning crewmembers, for aggressive questioning can generate a strong defensive reaction against “prying” for information.
    • Consider performing a thorough history and physical exam if suspicious for underlying medical or psychological causes of changes in behavior or personality contributing to conflict.
  • Reference NASA Johnson Space Center’s four primary elements of behavioral health and performance support to evaluate potential contributors to interpersonal conflict:[8]
    • Sleep and circadian physiology
    • Behavioral health
    • Psychological adaptation
    • Interaction with human-system interface in the on-orbit workplace
  • Consult with a behavioral specialist when available.

Management

  • Before applying general conflict resolution strategies, it is essential to rule out interpersonal conflicts driven by personality or behavioral changes resulting from new or worsening medical or psychiatric conditions. If a disorder is identified, treatment should precede reevaluation to assess whether the conflict remains.


A Comprehensive Approach to Conflict Resolution[9]

  1. Acknowledge the presence of a conflict.
  2. Maintain a broad perspective.
  3. Separate the parties from the source of the conflict.
  4. Clarify and identify the root cause of the conflict.
  5. Address one problem at a time, starting with the easiest.
  6. Engage the involved parties in a neutral, unbiased environment and manner.
  7. Listen with understanding and interest, rather than perceived evaluation.
  8. Validate all issues and concerns.
  9. Identify areas of agreement and focus on shared interests.
  10. Challenge data, facts, and conclusions - not individuals.
  11. Brainstorm solutions in which both parties benefit.
  12. Use objective criteria when possible.
  13. Do not delay or prolong conflict resolution.
  14. Implement the plan and regularly reassess the conflict until resolved.
  • Prevention of Interpersonal Conflict in Spaceflight[10]
    • Pre-flight selection of individuals with strong teamwork and coping skills, and identification of those at higher risk of conflict or behavioral issues triggered by spaceflight stressors.
    • Participation in pre-flight field exercises simulating spaceflight stressors to assess crew compatibility.
    • Provide crewmembers with designated time for personal leisure and family communication.

Disposition

  • The described four-factor model offers crewmembers an effective framework for identifying common causes of behavioral problems and interpersonal conflicts in spaceflight.
  • Early collaboration among crewmembers and simulation of known mission stressors can help preserve behavioral health, optimize performance, and enhance the positive psychological effects of spaceflight.

See Also

  • Space adaptation syndrome
  • Sleep disorders of spaceflight

References

  1. ↑ Flynn, Christopher F. Chapter 19: Behavioral Health and Performance Support. In: Barratt MR, Baker E, Pool SL, eds. Principles of Clinical Medicine for Spaceflight. Springer Nature; 2020.
  2. ↑ Blagov D, Bogdashevskiy R, Myasnikov VI, Kozarenko O, Bronnikov SV. Experts discuss psychological support measures for cosmonauts. Moscow Literaturnaya Gazeta. January 4, 1989.
  3. ↑ Davis JR. Medical issues for a mission to Mars. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1999;70(2):162-168.
  4. ↑ Nicogossian AE, Pool SL, Uri JJ. Historical perspectives. In: Nicogossian AE, Huntoon CL, Pool SL, eds. Space Physiology and Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger; 1994:3-49.
  5. ↑ Flynn, Christopher F. Chapter 19: Behavioral Health and Performance Support. In: Barratt MR, Baker E, Pool SL, eds. Principles of Clinical Medicine for Spaceflight. Springer Nature; 2020.
  6. ↑ Angelo E. Managing interpersonal conflict: Steps for success. Nurs Manage. 2019;50(6):22-28. doi:10.1097/01.NUMA.0000558479.54449.ed
  7. ↑ Flynn, Christopher F. Chapter 19: Behavioral Health and Performance Support. In: Barratt MR, Baker E, Pool SL, eds. Principles of Clinical Medicine for Spaceflight. Springer Nature; 2020.
  8. ↑ Flynn, Christopher F. Chapter 19: Behavioral Health and Performance Support. In: Barratt MR, Baker E, Pool SL, eds. Principles of Clinical Medicine for Spaceflight. Springer Nature; 2020.
  9. ↑ Garmel GM. Conflict Resolution in Emergency Medicine. In: Adams JG, ed. Emergency Medicine: Clinical Essentials. 2nd ed. Saunders; 2013:1615-1620.
  10. ↑ Flynn, Christopher F. Chapter 19: Behavioral Health and Performance Support. In: Barratt MR, Baker E, Pool SL, eds. Principles of Clinical Medicine for Spaceflight. Springer Nature; 2020.
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