New Study Analyzes Depression in Space

S A N  F R A N C I S C O, Oct. 13 -- Russian cosmonauts whoserved aboard the Mir space station were generally happier andmore satisfied than their American counterparts, according tothe first-ever mental health study of crews and controllers inmanned space missions.

The study, conducted by University of California-SanFrancisco researchers, concluded that lopsided crew compositionof two Russians and one American on each mission left U.S.astronauts feeling both frustrated and lonely.

Third Wheel Syndrome

“In multicultural crews, especially small crews, one has topay a lot of attention to the culture and language backgroundof the people involved,” Nick Kanas, a UCSF professor ofpsychiatry, said Thursday. “A single person who is differentfrom the other two can feel isolated.”

Kanas’ study, which was conducted under contract to NASAand in conjunction with Russia’s Institute for BiomedicalProblems, surveyed 13 crew members and 58 mission controlpersonnel during NASA missions to Russia’s Mir space stationbetween 1995 and 1998.

It found unequivocally that the American participants wereless satisfied with their group interaction and workenvironment than were the Russians, reporting less support anddirection from superiors, more work pressure, less personalopportunity and less physical comfort.

Kanas said a major reason for the difference was likely thefact that on each mission, a solitary U.S. astronaut was teamedwith two Russian crewmates.

“This creates a potential imbalance,” Kanas said. “Thecommander was always a Russian; the language used was alwaysRussian; and the operational control of the Mir space stationwas in Russian hands.”

Planning for Longer Missions

Kanas, who is also associate chief of mental healthservices at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center,said that the results of the study should prove useful to NASAas it plans future, lengthy missions — from the InternationalSpace Station to potential missions to Mars.