Too much time with work colleagues damages mental health
Spending too much time with co-workers can be bad for your mental health, according to a study that finds constant closeness can lead to conflict, loneliness and even paranoia.
Researchers studying scientists living in one of the world’s most isolated environments discovered that being surrounded by the same people day and night can put serious pressure on relationships.
The findings could have important implications for future missions to Mars and planned lunar bases, where astronauts will spend months or even years living together in confined spaces.
Scientists from the University of Zurich and other European institutions followed a 12-person team during a ten-month stay at the French-Italian Concordia research station in Antarctica.
Using proximity sensors and regular psychological assessments, they tracked how relationships changed throughout the mission.
The results painted a disturbing picture.
Researchers found that “there was a gradual increase in feelings of loneliness and conflict, while cohesion and individual performance decreased.”
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found: “Loneliness scores gradually increased, reaching levels comparable to moderate levels of social isolation in the general population.”
Increased loneliness is associated with “increased conflict and paranoid thoughts,” the scientists added.
Despite constantly living and working together, team members became increasingly suspicious of each other over time.
The study reported “forms of suspicion that include the perception that others are commenting on or observing oneself,” while “high levels of distrust” emerged midway through the task.
Researchers also found that colleagues who spent more time together were more likely to have conflict.
The group gradually split into nationality-based cliques, creating what scientists describe as “the risk of social fragmentation in multicultural teams.”
Study author Jan Schmutz said the findings challenge assumptions about teamwork.
“In this closed environment, it’s the opposite. We humans are extremely social creatures, but there are also boundaries,” he told The Economist.
Researchers have warned that future deep space missions could face similar psychological challenges.
The following statements were included in the research: “Humanity’s space exploration is on the verge of a new era.”
He added that long-duration missions would subject crews to “unprecedented levels of isolation” and “extreme psychological and physiological challenges.”
Referring to Stephen King’s famous horror story, the researchers noted: “The Shining reflects a similar intuition: in prolonged isolation, constant closeness does not necessarily strengthen relationships but can instead increase tension, mistrust, and psychological strain.”
