Revue internationale de santé mentale et de psychiatrie

A Study on Psychological Traits of Long-Term Fieldworkers

Yasuo Kojima, Kohske Takahashi, Naoki Matsuura and Masaki Shimada

Based on interviews with researchers with long-term overseas fieldwork experience, we examined the psychological characteristics that make such fieldwork possible. The study conducted interviews with 10 mid-career researchers in their 30s to 50s in various disciplines, such as zoology, anthropology, and ecology, where fieldwork is frequently undertaken on an individual basis. Afterward, we conducted a qualitative analysis of their narratives. The results led to six major categories encompassing 35 and 19 small and medium categories, respectively. Co-occurrence network analysis based on the small categories that appeared in the narratives of at least three participants and with a frequency of occurrence of at least five pointed to six separate cohesion groups. Experiences unique to fieldwork were extracted such as the assumption that unplanned events may occur, the ability to enjoy local lifestyles and relationships with people while receiving support, and the feeling that can only be experienced by crossing a boundary into a world that is overwhelmingly different from one’s everyday life. Moreover, the results indicated that years of fieldwork experience may influence values and attitudes as well as the manner of engagement in interpersonal relationships.