A Longitudinal Study of Personality and Disease Incidence Among Antarctic Winter-Over Volunteers
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between certain personality characteristics and the long term risk for disease incidence. Subjects were 2, 724 enlisted Navy men who volunteered to winter-over in Antarctica between 1963 and 1964. Men who actually wintered-over were compared with a control group of personnel found to be acceptable for winter-over duty but assigned elsewhere. Both groups were followed using medical and service history records to determine rates of all-cause first hospitalizations. Personality was measured using the FIRO-B scales and an inventory specially designed for evaluation winter-over personnel. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the contribution of each personality characteristic, age, education, and winter-over experience to disease risk. Results indicated that age was positively correlated with increased disease risk while education and the personality measures of Control-Expressed and Achievement need were negatively correlated. Those who did not winter-over in Antarctica had a significantly higher independent risk for subsequent disease incidence than the winter-over group.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA178429
Entities
People
- Lawrence A Palinkas
- Martin J. Stern
- Troy L. Holbrook
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center