Social and psychological aspects of individual adaptation in Arctic conditions

Abstract

The article represents results of empirical socio-psychological research of factors of workers' effective adaptation in the Arctic. In the elaborated questionnaire respondents were offered to evaluate a motivational meaning of such criteria as the transport and social infrastructure, the quality of the medical service, social facilities, labour conditions, career prospects, the climate and other indicators. The obtained data take into consideration the gender characteristic, the job form (the shift/non-shift methods) and the work and living experience in the Arctic. The conducted research revealed the leading role of such infrastructure factors as a good railway and air connection and the availability of sport centres. It is also shown that the availability and the quality of the high-technology medical care also plays an important motivational role. That's why serious chronic diseases are the reason for refusal of living in the Arctic for the majority of the respondents. The romanticization of the Arctic, so typical for young people, gave the way to the importance of a decent earning. In other words, most respondents pointed to the role of a financial factor. Among the factors that prevent adaption the respondents chose the severe climate and the uneasy psychological situation at a labour collective.