Group Climate and Individual Functioning in an All-Women Antarctic Expedition Team

Abstract

This study focused on four female Antarctic expedition team members who successfully skied to the South Pole in 67 days but did not meet their original objective of traversing the continent. The three phases of data collection included (a) a preexpedition personality assessment, (b) daily self-ratings of mood, task effectiveness, stress, coping, and exertion, and (c) postexpedition interviews about stress and coping. Personality measures showed a group high in confidence and achievement and low in bodily concern and competitiveness. Daily measures demonstrated an extremely well-functioning group with highly effective patterns of work and communication. The most commonly reported stressors were interpersonal, particularly concern about the welfare of another team member. Coping with these involved planful problem solving and sharing positive emotions with others. Results confirmed hypotheses that a female expedition team would be similar to male or mixed-gender teams in many respects but would be more sensitive to emotional concerns.