Abstract
This study focuses on the wellness risks of depression and treatment options for seafarers who experience distress at sea. The primary objective of this research study is to increase knowledge of stress, including how to recognize its symptoms and manifestations among sailors, both at sea and on land, and how to effectively treat it (Alberts, 2019). The study examines the causes of despair and potential remedies to address these issues and maintain a healthy workforce, what the personnel aboard, as well as transportation businesses, can do. Conceptual research includes investigations into the origins of sadness, its signs and consequences among sailors aboard, and methods for treating depression while at sea. The study will also ascertain whether the factors leading to sea well-being are related.
Introduction
It is often believed that mariners are exposed to both physical and psychological hazards on the job. Conditions such as extreme temperatures, loud noises, lack of privacy, being separated from loved ones, being at sea, being a target of piracy, or being a victim of crime all pose health risks (Basu, 2021). A lack of clear boundaries between work and rest hours, a hierarchical workplace, and shift work are characteristics of mariners’ jobs. Stress, sadness, burnout, and even suicidal ideation are just some of the mental health concerns that can arise as a result of the physical and emotional demands of the maritime industry.
Anxiety and depression are prevalent among mariners and seafarers. According to a survey conducted by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust in conjunction with Yale University, anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental illnesses among mariners (Lefkowitz and Slade, 2019). These issues were more prevalent among seafarers compared to the overall population, but also relative to other occupational groups (such as oil and gas workers).
Depression and anxiety appear to be more prevalent among young (18-35) and female mariners. Suicidal ideation appears to be more prevalent among container ship workers. However, anxiety appears to be more prevalent among deck and galley personnel. The mental health situation of mariners has received less attention than physical health difficulties (Craig, 2021). Recent studies on the mental health status of sailors are restricted to three review publications.
The first study demonstrated, by research classification, that the number of studies conducted on psychological functioning and other aspects of mental health among marine workers was low, accounting for only 10.61% of the total (Aristotle and Ramraj, 2022). The second study found that the mental health status of sailors, who are presumed to have committed suicide, could be determined using the suicide and missing at sea rates.
Cases of missing at sea may have stemmed from personal variables and the seafaring work environment; however, this was not mentioned in studies employing an association or causal link design (Jonglertmontree et al., 2022). Even though studies on depression and suicide among sailors were limited and fragmented, the final study focused on the risk of depression and suicide based on evidence of stress and loneliness (Badillo et al., 2021). This suggests that there are no systematic, exhaustive reviews on mental health disorders and their associated factors, nor are there any scoping reviews in the seafarer domain.
In 2012, the United Kingdom and Australia initiated a significant mental health initiative aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of sailors (Jonglertmontree et al., 2022). The state of mariners’ mental wellness has not received the same attention as their physical fitness. Although the working circumstances of mariners are both technically and socially hazardous, studies focusing on the health and emotional aspects of illness among mariners have not been as frequently undertaken as those on overall fitness (Basu, 2021). By employing comprehensive research to carefully map the information surrounding emotional issues and their associated determinants, the current review aimed to elucidate the relationship between factors that contribute to wellness at sea.
Objectives
This study’s primary goal is to evaluate the wellness risks of depression and treatment alternatives for seafarers/ mariners who experience distress at sea. The following plan provides a comprehensive overview of fatigue, including its definition, causes, and consequences in the marine industry. The research will determine whether the wellness factors leading at sea are all equally ranked and whether mariners/seafarers are aware of the stress symptoms and manifestations.
Hypotheses of the Research
The study for the project is conducted primarily based on several hypotheses that relate to the fundamental assumptions of this investigation, which aim to fulfill the initially stated goal. These theories mainly concern the qualifications of the sailors who will be evaluated (Dafauce et al., 2021). The research hypothesizes:
- H0: Whether the factors leading to wellness at sea are all equally ranked.
- H1: Whether the mariners/seafarers are knowledgeable of the symptoms of stress and its manifestation.
The null hypothesis (H0) will not be rejected (and H1 will be rejected) if the factors influencing wellness at sea are found to be equally ranked. Conversely, we will reject H0 (and accept H1) if these factors are not equally ranked. Separately, if the study concludes that mariners and seafarers are familiar with the symptoms and signs of stress, we will again fail to reject H0 and reject H1.
Well-Being at Sea
Fatigue has been linked to various risk factors, including organizational structures within companies, climatic conditions, individual traits, and legal frameworks. The absence of sleep, high-stress levels, and heavy workloads are the primary reasons for weariness among sailors. It is acknowledged that sailors frequently encounter risk-combining conditions that compromise their performance and general well-being. Several subcategories fit the reasons for weariness. The IMO classified all pertinent aspects into four main groups: crew-specific considerations, management-specific factors, ship-specific considerations, and ecological issues, to ensure completeness and reasonableness.
Crew-Specific Features
Sleep and Rest
Sleep and rest are, without a doubt, the most critical factors influencing human weariness and poor work performance. However, several barriers keep mariners from getting enough restorative sleep. Mariners who work 24-hour shifts aboard a moving vessel may have to put in extra hours and endure considerable noise and vibration. Additionally, they must deal with unforeseen interruptions caused by both personnel and vessel activity. Most people experience tiredness the next day if they sleep less than five hours. Just 6-12 hours into the experiment, the impact of a lack of sleep on manual tasks—which was examined in relation to activity in various regions of the cerebral cortex—became apparent.
Stress
Distress is always viewed as problematic since it may impact how well mariners sleep and cause them to be less attentive. The seafarer will often experience stress when placed in a dangerous situation that he cannot handle. Consequently, operating under constant strain causes sailors’ job status and health to deteriorate. Environmental difficulties, emotional concerns, and interpersonal tension can all contribute to stress on board a ship.
Working Hours
Long work hours were discovered to be quite frequent among the 2,500 sailors who participated in an International Transport Federation (ITF) survey (ITF, 1998) with respondents from 60 different countries. More than 80 hours were worked on average per week, according to one-fourth of the respondents. Long durations of continuous watch maintenance were also observed; 17% of those surveyed reported that their average watch exceeded 12 hours on a routine basis.
More than 80% of the sample said that as the length of the duty tour increased, so did their degree of exhaustion. Numerous crew-specific elements should also be considered, as they may contribute to weariness. The age of the seafarer and emotional and mental aspects like dread, lethargy, and fatigue are a few of these.
Management
Organizational Factors
Undoubtedly, the management style used aboard ships significantly impacts the level of fatigue among sailors. In this situation, the strict regulations enforced by the firm’s management may occasionally cause stress for sailors, as these regulations may conflict with their personal preferences and values. Moreover, due to the challenging circumstances on board ships, it is challenging for seafarers to adhere to all the restrictions in place. As a result, the effort required to comply with federal and international laws and norms becomes stressful, impairing alertness by causing weariness. Finally, everyday ship maintenance has proven to be burdensome for sailors due to its difficulty and regularity.
Voyage and Scheduling
From the organizational perspective, the travel and schedule aspects are crucial to the management components. The allocated period between ports set by shipping firms can be challenging for sailors, as most cases involve rigorous schedules with limited relaxation time. Additionally, mariners are occasionally exposed to adverse weather and sea conditions because of the demands of adhering to the timetable.
Stress, weariness, and exhaustion may result from these various factors. 23 Seafarers who abruptly switch to working through the night will exhibit decreased attentiveness compared to those who typically work during the day (Jonathan and Robin, 2020). The body will need a few days to adapt adequately to a schedule modification.
Ship-Specific Factors
Features of a ship’s architecture that may contribute to or lessen sailors’ weariness are examples of ship-specific characteristics. Some of these characteristics may affect the labor on board, while others may affect the crew’s stress levels and sleep quality (Garland, 2022). The degree of automation is crucial for minimizing workload, which may help mitigate weariness. A high degree of automation can make it easier for seafarers to perform their jobs, as operating the machinery on ships requires less time and effort. Since most sailors rely extensively on the equipment, it has also been demonstrated that the engine’s dependability is a significant factor in determining tiredness.
Environmental Factors
Internal
Shipboard characteristics, including loudness, have been identified as significant contributors to seasickness. Most ship cabins have some level of noise, with engine activity, ventilation, and ship motion being the main contributors. In a survey of 11 Norwegian ships conducted to identify health-harming variables, it was found that staff noise exposure was the most frequently reported issue, with 44% of the sample expressing concern (Lizan, 2019). Noise at work can harm seafarers’ physical and psychological health, leading to fatigue and reduced job performance. Additionally, it impacts sleep patterns and diminishes the therapeutic nature of sleep, significantly increasing fatigue.
External
The external factor, the second component of the environmental aspect, primarily consists of the port environment, weather, and ship traffic. The state of ports is currently a major cause of concern for sailors (Ludwiczak et al., 2020). Due to their erratic work schedules, increased safety responsibilities, more frequent inspections, and intense turnaround strain, ships and sailors are becoming a concern. Another significant aspect that should be addressed is the weather and sea conditions. Anxiety and poor rest and sleep due to harsh meteorological conditions can contribute to or worsen weariness.
Factors That Lead to Well-Being at the Sea
Having Enough Sleep
The most effective tactic to combat weariness is sleep. A person’s ability to function in the physical, expressive, and cerebral realms can be impaired by sleep deprivation and fatigue. Therefore, sailors must get enough rest on board (Yan and Luan, 2018). Creating and adhering to a pre-sleep routine to encourage sleep at bedtime, abstaining from alcohol and caffeine before bed, and practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga are some practical tips for establishing excellent sleep habits.
Reviewing Working Hours
The operational regimen onboard varies from other businesses because it involves extended workdays. The peculiar component of the program plays a significant role in making sailors feel exhausted and stressed out. Maritime enterprises should thoroughly examine conventional work patterns to mitigate the effects of these variables on seafarers’ fatigue levels. The tight enforcement of laws governing the rest hours onboard ships should also be considered.
The crucial knowledge about analyzing sleeping habits improves seafarers’ welfare. Understanding how long seafarers work is crucial for evaluating their current levels of exhaustion, as working hours significantly contribute to fatigue among seafarers. The weariness of mariners can be reduced by clearly separating labor from relaxation. Numerous studies have shown that effective management of working hours will enable sailors to achieve these separations.
Perfection of Shipboard Conditions
Adjustments to the shipboard environment reduce its detrimental impact on seafarers. Causative variables related to seafarers’ jobs and rest environments, such as heating systems, lighting, and ventilation, should be serviced on time to minimize their impact on seafarers’ fatigue. The earliest opportunity should be taken to identify and address any sources of unexpected noise. Additionally, having appropriate lighting and music in the workplace can be beneficial for stress relief and maintaining overall well-being.
Optimization of the Association of Labor
Aboard ship, work and leisure intervals can be organized more effectively using on-the-ship supervision techniques, particularly those advised by the IMO and the ILO. Various jobs can occasionally be blended to avoid the perception of monotony. High mental and physical requirements can be mixed with relatively low demands to lessen the workload’s intensity. Additionally, drills can be set up in a way that minimizes the chance of interfering with rest times. This element substantially enhances the health of the sea.
Establishment of Safety Culture Onboard Ships
The welfare of the water is increased by adhering to international marine safety laws and the principle that prevention is preferable to treatment. Raising team awareness is essential, as it can alleviate mental and physical fatigue on board. Establishing onboard procedures for handling episodes of fatigue is also crucial. Lessons learned from previous fatigue-related tragedies should be covered in part 64 of safety briefings aboard ships. A climate of open communication enables sailors to systematically report instances of exhaustion and conduct a thorough analysis of the issue.
Methodology
Given the constraints experienced by studies seeking to assess the degree of mental well-being among seafarers, the prevalence of suicide among mariners, and the proportion of psychologically well-being cases among returned seafarers, this study sought to address the issue using an alternative methodology. To ascertain the perceptions of stakeholders, we reviewed ‘grey literature’ about seafarers’ mental health, conducted interviews with a small number of stakeholders, visited PROTECTION and indemnity clubs, and carried out semi-structured interview sessions with claims handlers and key personnel, and analyzed the results of a questionnaire sent to HR managers at ship operating companies.
A total of 1,607 people were interviewed using questionnaires and a limited number of semi-structured interviews to get an understanding of the elements that seafarers see as supporting or damaging their mental health on board. These seamen were located in seafarers’ centers or while their ship was docked in a port, and they were interviewed on board. We analyzed this combined data to identify best practices for promoting the well-being and mental health of sailors. Face-to-face and over Skype, all semi-structured interviews were done. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded using the NVivo program. The sample of businesses included in the poll of HR managers was picked at random from the Sea web database of businesses.
In this research, the data were analyzed and shown using descriptive statistics. For the analysis, the mean, mode, and median were used as measures of the central tendency. For regression, non-parametric tests are used to determine how the variables relate to each other and draw conclusions about the frequency of sea/marine wellness programs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Individual and workplace contextual variables can be used to classify the elements that affect cognitive well-being and psychological disorders. These findings ultimately present helpful strategies for addressing both interpersonal and organizational levels of sailors’ mental health care challenges. They involve encouraging healthy habits, building resiliency, and tackling personal issues, including being overweight and chronic illnesses.
In this study, eleven of the thirteen P&I clubs that comprise the International Organization of P&I clubs were interviewed. We also requested information regarding claims related to repatriations for mental health-related reasons. Even while most P&I clubs were more attentive to mental health issues than they used to be in the past, they did not feel that medical resettlement in general or medical extraditions on mental well-being grounds was growing in connection to the claims that they handled.
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