The Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) for assessing stress of seafarers on board merchant ships

Abstract

Background: In their working activity, seafarers are exposed to high levels of stress that should be accurately investigated, measured, followed up and, if possible, countered.

Occupational stressors, risks and health in the seafaring population

“…The physical dimension of QOL is worst among engineer ship service members, while psychological QOL is worst among ship auxiliary service seafarers. Study done by Carotenuto et al (2013) also showed differences in some aspects of psychological wellbeing between seafarers of different categories. Obtained results (higher levels of anxiety and self-control among deck and engine officers compared to the crew) supported the view that management responsibilities are related to higher levels of stress.…”

“…Therefore, studies that focused on psychological wellbeing (e.g., Carotenuto et al, 2013), quality of life (e.g., Juozulynas, Sąlyga, Malakauskienė, & Lukšienė, 2007) and burn-out syndrome (e.g., Oldenburg, Jensen, & Wegner, 2012) are encouraged, especially those which aim to determine role of working conditions in the well-being of seafarers. For example, Oldenburg et al (2012) showed that emotional exhaustion in seafarers is associated with a perception of enough sleep on board, lack of care provided by their superiors and/or the shipping company, with high responsibility for work organisation (for senior members of crew) and with social problems due to the long periods of separation from their families.…”

Personality determinants of health behaviours of merchant navy officers

“…In case of the managers it was negatively correlated with the levels of experience. Therefore it can be stated that high levels of agreeability of seafarers encourages undertaking suitable health behaviours that may aim at improvement of their health and psychological wellbeing in the face of the many threats associated with the peculiarities of their job [18]. During the process of preparation for work, officers and their subordinates become acquainted with the challenges and risks arising from the character of their work, and they become aware of the necessity to properly, constructively cope with stress, which includes taking care of one's health [45].…”

“…Moreover, managers' actions are continually assessed, which causes a significant increase in their levels of tension and stress [16]. Operating in such conditions may have negative health consequences and influence the psychophysical well-being of workers, which negatively feeds-back to the effectiveness of the team and the organisation [17,18]. In the case of the officers of merchant navy, we not only speak about managing a team of people, but also managing the ship, responsibility for people and equipment in a high stress environment.…”

Eighty years of CIRM. A journey of commitment and dedication in providing maritime medical assistance

“…Telemedicine case already installed or being installed in 2015 on board of 50 ships belonging to the French company CMA Ships in Marseille. The case contains an artificial intelligence system for helping to prepare a more precise request for medical advice [24] and the telemedical devices listed below: infrared thermometer, high quality photocamera, electronic phonendoscope, blood pressure monitor, 12 derivations electrocardiogram, spirometer and SPO2, glucometer Syed Sarosh Mahdi, Francesco Amenta, Eighty years of CIRM tre has now expanded its services to include assessment of stress on board merchant ships [25] and an increased involvement in training and education for seafarers which has already commenced. The future looks bright for CIRM to advance its goal to provide effective health services to remote patients.…”