[grondilu]

Throughout history men have probably lived through worse conditions, either while being prisoners of war, stranded on a desert island and whatnot.

The way to cope with such harsh conditions is, I suppose, always the same : hope of escaping and returning home.

[eru]

In this case, the coping strategies of martyrs seem more apt. "You are doing it for the cause."

[grondilu]

That seems to work with Mars One, for instance.