A systematic review on seafarer health: Conditions, antecedents and interventions

Seafarers spend more time at sea than on land, which makes them a hard-to-reach community. Since their mental health and well-being is usually addressed from a land-based perspective, dedicated and validated methods incorporating maritime specificities are lacking. During the COVID-19 pandemic, research into seafarers’ mental health and well-being flourished. However, a systematic review of the literature to assess the type and appropriateness of assessment methods pertaining to the mental health and well-being of seafarers has yet to be undertaken. This study reviews 5 databases (ERIC, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and EBSCO) to assess the methods used to examine seafarers’ mental health and well-being during the pandemic. Peer-reviewed literature alongside grey literature that applied quantitative or qualitative instruments to measure seafarers’ mental health and/or well-being, published in English between March 2020 and February 2023, was eligible for the review. Studies from all geographic regions and regardless of nationality, rank and ship type of the subjects were explored. Database searches produced 272 records. Five additional records were identified via other methods. We identified 27 studies suitable for review, including 24 published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and 3 reports and surveys produced by the industry or welfare organizations. Assessment methods used to measure seafarers’ mental health and well-being vary significantly in the literature. The frequent use of ad hoc questionnaires limits the possibility to replicate and compare the studies due to various inconsistencies. Furthermore, several validation and reliability measures needed more solidity when applied to the seafaring population. Such inadequate measuring and a mix of assessment methods impacted the comparison of results and might inflate the risks of underreporting or overstating mental complaints.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Systematic Review of Assessment Methods for Seafarers’ Mental Health and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Carrera-Arce,

Baumler,

Hollander

2023

“…The existing studies on seafarers' sexual health discuss risky sex practices or sexually transmitted infections. [23][24][25] The mental and physical impacts of sexual abstinence on ships seem to be ignored. Considering that crewmembers spend extended periods at sea and are unable to access shore facilities due to short port stays and intensive work, [26][27][28] seafarers are trapped onboard with no or limited possibility for sexual satisfaction.…”

Section: Seafaring: Health Sexual Abstinence and The Workplacementioning

confidence: 99%

The Relationship Between Work-Induced Sexual Abstinence and Psychological Health of Chinese Male Seafarers: The Positive Influence of Job Satisfaction

Dong

Carrera

Baumler

et al. 2023

The specific nature of the seafaring occupation keeps seafarers away from partners and shore life for long periods at sea. Therefore, seafarers suffer many challenges in the workplace including frustration of their sexual needs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between work-induced sexual abstinence, psychological health and job satisfaction among seafarers. A mixed-method approach focusing on cross-sectional survey-based quantitative research was used. The sample included 617 Chinese active seafarers who experienced sexual abstinence on board. Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to divide the respondents into different groups corresponding to 14 psychological problems induced by sexual abstinence and experienced in the workplace. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to identify the relationship between tolerance level of seafarers to sexual abstinence and their job satisfaction. Four distinct groups of seafarers, influenced differently by sexual abstinence, were identified, namely “Saint,” “Adapter,” “Average people,” and “Sufferer” clusters. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that tolerance level of seafarers to sexual abstinence was positively influenced by overall job satisfaction, perceived working environment, ability utilization for other jobs, own choice for working as a seafarer and perceived friendliness of co-workers, while it was negatively influenced by perceived job responsibility. The study innovates by examining the relationship between sexual abstinence and the psychological health of seafarers. It also extends the function of job satisfaction, which can contribute positively to the tolerance level to sexual abstinence. Management recommendations to address sexual abstinence issues are proposed to better protect the health and psychological well-being of seafarers and enhance operational safety on board.

“… 3 , 4 During the COVID-19 pandemic, seafarers experienced additional problems with extended stays on board and repatriation issues, financial insecurity, discrimination, crew non-replacement policy, 9 extension or termination of their contracts due to lockdown 10 - 12 and so forth. In their recent review, Li et al 13 grouped sources of stress among seafarers into 7 groups: (1) natural environment (eg, extreme weather conditions), (2) physical working environment (eg, noise, vibrations, poor nutrition, lack of recreational facilities, and medical assistance), (3) social environment (eg, isolation, bullying, discrimination), (4) management style (working schedule demands, contract type), personal features (unhealthy lifestyle, personality), industry specific characteristics (eg, pirates), and health crisis (eg, the pandemic).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Impacting Seafarers’ Mental Health and Career Intentions

Svetina,

Perkovič,

Yang

et al. 2024

The main objective of the present study was to investigate factors related to seafarers’ mental health. A sample of seafarers from 12 countries participated in the study. A list of stressors was used to assess both perception of exposure to these stressors and their subjective significance. The Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) was used to assess seafarers’ mental health on 5 of 9 subscales: Depression, Anxiety, Hostility, Interpersonal Sensitivity, and Somatisation. Three significant findings emerged from the analyses. The first was that 3 types of stressors contribute significantly to mental health problems: (1) environmental factors (eg, vibration), (2) social problems (eg, bullying, homesickness, working alone), and (3) health problems (eg, physical injuries, viruses, and the illnesses). The second finding was that both stress and mental health issues determine seafarers’ motivation for their work and their consideration regarding leaving the maritime industry. The third finding was that factors contributing to seafarers’ consideration of leaving the industry were mainly related to social stressors such as isolation from family and friends, cultural differences at work, demands from supervisors, and bullying. Factors such as bad weather, working shifts, length of employment contract or a ban on disembarkment in ports were found to be relatively less important for seafarers as factors toward considering leaving the industry. The implications of these findings are discussed.