Stress and coping in a week-long disabled submarine exercise

Emotional stress could impair cognitive performance and decision-making in the initial period within a disabled submarine (SUBSUNK). The aim of the present study was to explore stress reactions over time in submarine crewmembers exposed to a simulated SUBSUNK trial.

There were 18 Norwegian sailors who were confined within the front section of a conventional diesel-electric submarine for 6 d 18 h complying with emergency SUBSUNK procedures. Self-reported measures of habitual coping and personality hardiness were completed before the simulation, and measures of emotional stress symptoms and quality of life were assessed daily during the exercise and at 2 wk after the exercise.

A repeated measures analysis of variance showed that emotional stress symptoms declined [F (6,14) = 2.76, p < 0.05], while quality of life improved over time [F (6,14) = 4.00, p < 0.01] from the first day compared with subsequent days of the experiment. Personality hardiness was negatively associated with emotional stress (r = -0.52) and lower quality of life (r = -0.47), while avoidant coping was positively associated with lower quality of life (r = 0.53) in the first 24 h of the SUBSUNK situation (all p < 0.05).

These findings suggest that the level of emotional stress was highest in the first 24-h period, and that the level of distress was related to scores on personality hardiness and personality traits. These data have possible implications for selection and healthcare of personnel, and also suggest that crews will benefit from external help especially in the first 24 h of emergency response techniques.