NASA Human Research Program Investigators' Workshop (2012)
4078.pdf
AN INTERVENTION FOR INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT ON LONG-DURATION SPACE MISSIONS
J. A. Cartreine1, J. C. Buckey2
1
Brigham and Women’s Hospital / Harvard Medical School, 1249 Boylston Ave., Boston MA 02215
2
Dartmouth Medical School, One Medical Center Drive, Hanover NH 03756
PROBLEM
Some amount of conflict is inevitable on long-duration (LD) missions, whether between crewmembers or between
the crew and the ground; however, severe conflicts can interfere with mission success and even safety.
NEED
Tools need to be developed and tested to support the autonomous, confidential management of interpersonal
conflicts. This is particularly true for Mars missions, where communication time lags will make real-time mediation
from Earth impossible. A countermeasure is needed to help crewmembers manage their conflicts effectively and
autonomously.
COUNTERMEASURE DESCRIPTION
This project involves the development and evaluation of an interactive-media program that LD crewmembers can
employ to manage ongoing conflicts. The intervention is confidential, can be scheduled at the crewmember’s
convenience, and offers standardized content. This project expands the NSBRI-supported Virtual Space Station
(VSS) suite of interactive media psychosocial support programs. This countermeasure is intended to be used 4 times;
once every 1 to 2 weeks. The architecture of the system has been designed and the first of 4 sessions has been
programmed and production of the interactive program will be completed in 2012.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Approach
As with all VSS content (including self-management of depression and of stress), this countermeasure is based on
CBT principles, addressing the domains of actions, thoughts, and feelings (both physical and emotional) within the
“conflict cycle.” One or all parties involved in the conflict would use the program privately. A “mentor” with
expertise in conflict management guides the user through the content via video, audio and text.
Tailored Intervention Components
Since people differ in their strengths, weaknesses and personalities when approaching conflict, the program starts
with questions to assess areas such as assertiveness, anger management and empathy. The answers are used to tailor
the intervention to their each individual. All questions are drawn from validated, published assessments. The goal of
this tailoring is to minimize the time required to use the program by only giving users content likely to benefit them.
Although some content is recommended to all users, secondary and tertiary is based on the self-assessment.
Core Content
All users will engage in a problem-solving process to manage the conflict and its sequelae. They will also receive
training in negotiation skills pertinent to close interpersonal relationships and assistance in analyzing thoughts
associated with the conflict, to help avoid unsubstantiated conclusions and make better decisions on how to proceed.
Secondary Content
If indicated by the self-assessment, users will also be recommended content designed to increase their perspectivetaking empathy skills (i.e., seeing the situation from the other person’s point of view), emotional empathy
(recognizing others’ emotional states), training in assertive communication, and anger management.
Tertiary Content
Many subsidiary problems can result from, and contribute to, intense, ongoing conflicts in the workplace. Although
these areas will not be developed in depth, they include sleep disturbance, chronic stress, depression, anxiety,
rumination about the conflict, substance abuse, and alcohol abuse. Users who acknowledge symptoms of these
problems in the self-assessment will be directed to this content.
COUNTERMEASURE EVALUATION
This intervention will be tested in an open trial using firefighters, a group that shares some characteristics with
astronauts. Participants will need to be involved in a substantial, ongoing workplace conflict to be enrolled. At
present, it is planned to be conducted in the Phoenix, San Diego, and Houston fire departments in 2012 – 2013.