Off-World Mental Health: Considerations for the Design of Well-being–Supportive Technologies for Deep Space Exploration

Abstract

During future long-duration space exploration missions, humans will be exposed to combinations of extreme physical, psychological, and interpersonal demands. These demands create risks for the safety, performance, health, and well-being of both individuals and crew. The communication latency in deep space means that explorers will increasingly have to operate independently and take responsibility for their own self-care and self-management. At present, several research programs are focused on developing and testing digital technologies and countermeasures that support the effective functioning of deep space crews. Although promising, these initiatives have been stimulated mostly by technological opportunity rather than cogent theory. In this perspective, we argue that digital technologies developed for spaceflight should be informed by well-being–supportive design principles and be cognizant of broader conversations around the development and use of digital health applications, especially pertaining to issues of autonomy, privacy, and trust. These issues are important for designing potentially mission-critical health technologies and may be determining factors in the safe and successful completion of future off-world endeavors.

Web-Based, Interactive, Interest-Based Negotiation Training for Managing Conflict in Isolated Environments: Opportunistic Study With an e-Survey

“…Many businesses use a combination of in-person or web-based didactics and team-building training. Although this module is not the first web-based training tool to have been developed or implemented [ 16 ], it is unique in the use of interactive media and the ability to offer an experiential rather than didactic training approach. It trains users in a well-tested approach to negotiation in a way that can be accessed remotely, done confidentially, and revisited for refresher training.…”

“…A web-based, interactive-media approach was chosen to facilitate an active learning environment, which is easily accessible, self-directed, and more effective for performance and user satisfaction than traditional classroom or video learning alone [ 15 ]. A private, computerized format may also be more comfortable to users [ 3 , 16 ]. In ICEs, individuals need tools they can use on their own, not involving others, because the people they may need to negotiate with are part of their crew.…”

“…Intervention options in ICEs are minimal, and computer-based interventional programs applying cognitive behavioral instruction are promising [ 3 ]. Smith et al [ 16 ] recently reviewed work in this area and noted that advances in technology have led to several research programs focusing on digital technologies and countermeasures to support effective functioning of people in ICEs, though in many cases these have been driven by technological opportunity rather than cogent theory. They concluded that further studies and evidence-based interventions, particularly using well-being supportive design principles built to support individual autonomy, competence, and other key characteristics, were clearly needed [ 16 ].…”

“…Smith et al [ 16 ] recently reviewed work in this area and noted that advances in technology have led to several research programs focusing on digital technologies and countermeasures to support effective functioning of people in ICEs, though in many cases these have been driven by technological opportunity rather than cogent theory. They concluded that further studies and evidence-based interventions, particularly using well-being supportive design principles built to support individual autonomy, competence, and other key characteristics, were clearly needed [ 16 ]. Previous research on self-guided, interactive media–based negotiation training tools is limited, though a pilot study using electronic interactive-media content for problem-solving treatment showed that this approach was highly usable, acceptable, and credible [ 17 ].…”