Extreme Environments Research and Consulting by Melanie Boling, Founder of Boling Expeditionary Research.
Survivors of sexual assault frequently endure psychological distress—including PTSD, anxiety, depression—and somatic symptoms. Yoga therapy, particularly trauma-sensitive forms, is gaining attention as a complementary intervention. This article reviews evidence regarding implementation, benefits, and limitations of yoga therapy for this population, and situates it within trauma-informed care frameworks.
Triangulation is a hallmark tactic used by narcissists to control, destabilize, and manipulate their primary victims. While much of the literature focuses on the narcissist and the direct victim, the third party — the person drawn into the triangle — plays a critical psychological and social role in the dynamic. This paper explores the personality, cognitive, and relational traits of individuals most likely to be used by narcissists in triangulation.
Individuals with Cluster B personality disorders — which include Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders — can have significant and sometimes destabilizing effects on team dynamics, especially in extreme environments (e.g., military operations, polar expeditions, deep-sea missions, or spaceflight). These environments demand trust, cohesion, emotional regulation, and resilience, making them particularly sensitive to interpersonal dysfunction.
Imagine walking into work every day filled with dread because the person in charge – the one wearing the rank and title of leader – uses that power to make your life miserable. This is a reality for many in the U.S. military who serve under toxic leaders. These are bosses who abuse their authority through bullying, intimidation, or humiliation. They might belittle subordinates in front of others, take credit for their work, unfairly punish anyone who displeases them, or create a climate of fear. On the surface, the unit might still salute and say “Yes, sir,” but underneath, the stress is eating away at the health and morale of everyone involved.
Individuals with covert borderline-narcissistic and psychopathic traits present unique neurobiological and behavioral profiles that are markedly challenged by extreme environments such as war zones, military deployments, and space missions. This paper synthesizes current neuroscience and psychological research on these personality traits, focusing on brain structure and function (e.g. limbic and prefrontal cortical regions, neurotransmitter systems, neuroplastic changes), stress reactivity (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysregulation and cortisol response), and behavioral outcomes (heightened impulsivity, moral disengagement, and group cohesion disruption).
“Anything of value is worth the effort””
