Resilient Polar Expedition Well-being: The importance of Basic Psychological Needs

Abstract

This thesis examines the resilience of polar expeditioners through Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT), integrating a socioecological perspective that views resilience as a dynamic interaction across individual, relational, and environmental levels. Resilience was assessed via well-being and ill-being using a mixed-methods approach across three empirical studies. The aim was to evaluate BPNT’s applicability in extreme environments and its ability to predict mental health and explain relationships within a socioecological framework.
Study 1 employed a cross-sectional design to investigate factors at individual, micro, exo, and macro levels, with basic psychological needs (BPN) as mediators. Autonomy mediated the effects of personal resilience, community support, and nature connection on well-being. Relatedness fully mediated the relationships between personal resilience, social support, and nature connection with ill-being, highlighting the critical role of social relationships in reducing negative outcomes. Study 2 used an intensive repeated-measures design during polar expeditions. Aggregated BPN satisfaction consistently predicted well-being and ill-being. Nature relatedness and coping flexibility also supported well-being, emphasizing the role of adaptive strategies and environmental connection in mental health. Study 3 employed thematic analysis of interviews to explore how expeditioners navigate challenges and draw support across socioecological levels. Findings highlighted diverse sources of social support, the significance of the natural environment, and gender-related challenges for female personnel, calling for increased attention to equity and inclusion.
The findings demonstrate BPNT’s applicability to extreme environments and its utility in understanding resilience. The research underscores the importance of needs-supportive environments, coping flexibility, and nature connection, offering practical recommendations for individuals, teams, and organizations. Despite challenges such as small sample sizes, this thesis provides novel insights into resilience in extreme settings and highlights BPNT’s value for future theoretical and applied work.