Affective States in a Space-Analog Mission and Insights from Psychometric and Hair Cortisol Measures

INTRODUCTION: Long-duration space missions introduce stressors that can disturb the affective states of astronauts (e.g., isolation, workload). However, studies in space or in space-analog environments struggle to find a consensus on the affective impact of these stressors. Also, there is a lack of research using multiple measures to assess affective states in these conditions (e.g., positive and negative measures and physiological parameters). More research is needed to understand the psycho-physiological mechanisms during long-duration space-like missions. Our study was conducted during a space-analog confinement (SIRIUS-19). Throughout the mission, we assessed variations of affective states using subjective and physiological parameters. We expected interindividual variability, with transitory and chronic changes on the psychological and physiological dimensions of affective states.

METHODS: Six subjects (three men/three women; four Russians/two Americans; age = 33.83 ± 6.37) performed the protocol once a month during the 4-mo confinement. Subjects completed various psychometric scales about their affective states (Self-Assessment Manikin, Positive and Negative Affective Schedule) and provided hair cortisol samples. Due to the small sample size, only individual values and descriptive statistics were used.

RESULTS: Psychometric measures remained positive and stable. Hair cortisol levels increased at the beginning of the mission (from 31.79 ± 18.05 pg · mg⁻¹ to 62.25 ± 31.99 pg · mg⁻¹). Most of the measurements showed interindividual variability.

DISCUSSION: The subjective affective states remained positive and relatively stable throughout the mission. The initial increase of hair cortisol is attributed to an adaptation phase of the crew. No affective variation seems to be related to this phase. Our results indicate effective affective adaptation to the confinement.

Pauly J, Langlet C, Hainaut J-P, Yusupova A, Bolmont B. Affective states in a space-analog mission and insights from psychometric and hair cortisol measures. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2025; 96(5):436–442.