Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Comment
  • Published:

Mental health in the field

Field work is an important and valued part of geoscience research, but can also serve as a source of stress. Careful planning can help support the mental health and wellness of participants at all career stages.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1: Pyramidal representation of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Fig. 2: Schematic overview of mental health stressors during field work.

References

  1. Eichholz, D. E. Greece Rome 3, 61–69 (1956).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Atchison, C. L. & Libarkin, J. C. Geosphere 12, 1154–1165 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Cooke, M. L., Anderson, K. S. & Forrest, S. E. J. Geosci. Educ. 45, 4–9 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Oliveri, S. & Bohacs, K. Field Safety in Uncontrolled Environments: A Process-Based Guidebook (AAPG, DEG, ExxonMobil Upstream Geoscience, Tulsa, 2005).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  5. Hunt, J. & Eisenberg, D. J. Adolesc. Health 46, 3–10 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Tucker, F. & Horton, J. Area. https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12437 (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Maslow, A. H. Psychol. Rev. 50, 370–396 (1943).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Palinkas, L. A. & Suedfeld, P. Lancet 371, 153–163 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Reed, H. L. et al. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 86, 110–116 (2001).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Mullin, C. S. Am. J. Psychiatry 4, 323–325 (1960).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Zimmer, M. et al. Estudos de Psicologia Campinas 30, 415–423 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Palinkas, L. A. Soc. Sci. Medicine 35, 651–664 (1992).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Wood, J. et al. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 76, 89–93 (2005).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Healey, M., Jenkins, A., Leach, J., Roberts, C. & Hall, F. C. Issues in Providing Learning Support for Disabled Students Undertaking Fieldwork and Related Activities (GDN, 2010).

Download references

Acknowledgements

C.M.J. acknowledges the support and contributions of the Imperial College Mental Health Advisory Team.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cédric Michaël John.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

John, C.M., Khan, S.B. Mental health in the field. Nature Geosci 11, 618–620 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0219-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0219-0

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing