Development of a New Instrument for Measuring Psychological Factors Specific to the Activity of Seafarers

• Autorzy: Arslan Aykut , Usluer Hasan Bora , Akturan Abdulkadir , Efiloğlu Başak Ersin

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.12716/1001.19.01.05

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Researchers are increasingly recognizing the importance of seafarers' psychological well-being in maritime contexts, reflecting the profound mental health challenges associated with life at sea. Seafarers endure extended periods of isolation, demanding work schedules, and restricted access to psychosocial support, all of which contribute to elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Although these issues are well-documented, the field lacks a standardized psychological assessment tool specifically designed for this occupational group. Existing instruments, such as the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), offer limited insight into the unique stressors faced by seafarers. Consequently, this paper advocates for the development of a psychometrically sound, occupation-specific psychological scale to assess seafarers’ mental health. Based on a comprehensive literature review, the study identifies core psychological constructs relevant to seafaring, including occupational stress, isolation, resilience, job satisfaction, and mental health symptoms. The proposed methodology encompasses a multi-phase approach, involving construct identification, item development, scale validation through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and pilot testing with a representative sample of seafarers. Cultural and contextual sensitivity is emphasized throughout, acknowledging the diversity of maritime crews. The development of this specialized tool is crucial for improving mental health interventions, enhancing operational safety, and supporting the long-term well-being of maritime personnel. A validated instrument would enable maritime organizations, researchers, and policymakers to systematically evaluate psychological risks, implement timely support mechanisms, and foster healthier work environments. Furthermore, it holds the potential to inform policy reforms and occupational health practices, ensuring that seafarers receive the targeted mental health care they require. In doing so, this research aims to valorise the importance of psychology in maritime affairs in order to promote sustainable workforce well-being across the global maritime industry.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

seafarers; ship crews; questionnaire; Human Factor; HF; mental health; maritime psychology; occupational safety; well-being

• Wydawca: Faculty of Navigation, Gdynia Maritime University
• Czasopismo: TransNav : International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation
• Rocznik: 2025
• Tom: Vol. 19 No. 1
• Strony: 39--46
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 21 poz., tab.

Twórcy

autor

Arslan Aykut

• Piri Reis University, Istanbul, Turkey

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5689-3918

autor

Usluer Hasan Bora

• Piri Reis University, Istanbul, Turkey
• Galatasaray University, Istanbul, Turkey

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8988-9288

autor

Akturan Abdulkadir

• Piri Reis University, Istanbul, Turkey

autor

Efiloğlu Başak Ersin

• Piri Reis University, Istanbul, Turkey

Bibliografia

• [1] Carrera, M., Baumler, R., & Hollander, J. (2023). A systematic review of assessment methods for seafarers’ mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 60. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580231212218
• [2] Nittari, G., Gibelli, F., Bailo, P., Sirignano, A., & Ricci, G. (2022). Factors affecting mental health of seafarers on board merchant ships: A systematic review. Reviews on Environmental Health, 39(1), 151–160. https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2021-0070
• [3] Şenbursa, N. (2024). Seafarers’ wellbeing on board: Scoping review. Transactions on Maritime Science, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.7225/toms.v13.n01.w04
• [4] McVeigh, J., MacLachlan, M., Vallières, F., Hyland, P., Stilz, R., Cox, H., & Fraser, A. (2019). Identifying predictors of stress and job satisfaction in a sample of merchant seafarers using structural equation modeling. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00070
• [5] Carrera, M., & Bartusevičienė, I. (2024). Foreword to the special issue on “Seafarer’s mental health and well-being.” Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 61. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580241261691
• [6] Brooks, S. K., & Greenberg, N. (2022). Mental health and wellbeing of seafaring personnel during COVID-19: Scoping review. Journal of Occupational Health, 64(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12361
• [7] Hayes-Mejia, R., & Stafström, M. (2023). Psychosocial work environment and mental health among the global workforce of seafarers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17035-2
• [8] Oldenburg, M., & Jensen, H.-J. (2019). Stress and strain among seafarers related to the occupational groups. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(7), 1153. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16071153
• [9] Ekawati, H. (2024). Promoting seafarers' wellbeing: Addressing psychosocial risks in Indonesian maritime industry. Ishel, 2(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.59680/ishel.v2i2.1081
• [10] Farisyi, S., Ricardianto, P., Purnaningratri, I., Setyawati, A., Negara, G. S., Weda, I., Widyaningrum, N., Sudewo, G. C., Saputra, C. M., & Endri, E. (2024). Seafarer work stress and performance: Empirical evidence of shipping safety of Indonesia national shipping companies. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 12(2), 1297–1306. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2023.11.007
• [11] Slišković, A. (2017). Occupational stress in seafaring. In Occupational stress in seafaring (pp. 99–126). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45430-6_5
• [12] Galić, M., Sić, L., & Slišković, A. (2023). “I constantly feel worn out”: Mixed-methodology approach to seafarers’ sleep on board. Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 60. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580231159746
• [13] Dohrmann, S. B., & Leppin, A. (2016). Determinants of seafarers’ fatigue: A systematic review and quality assessment. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 90(1), 13–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-016-1174-y
• [14] Sharma, K. (2024). Navigating the high seas of mental health: Exploring the prevalence of depression, stress, anxiety, and burnout among Indian seafarers. International Journal of Public Health Excellence (IJPHE), 3(2), 677–695. https://doi.org/10.55299/ijphe.v3i2.827
• [15] Maşalacı, B. Ç. (2024). A bibliometric analysis of mental health and wellbeing of seafarers. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, 13(1), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1404370
• [16] Ay, Ö., Taşkıran, Ç., & Altınışık, S. (2024). An overview of maritime psychology through bibliometric analysis: Present state and future prospects. Ocean Engineering, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2023.116401
• [17] Carotenuto, A., Fasanaro, A. M., Molino, I., Sibilio, F., Saturnino, A., Traini, E., & Amenta, F. (2013). The Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) for assessing stress of seafarers on board merchant ships. International Maritime Health, 64(4), 215–220. https://doi.org/10.5603/imh.2013.0007
• [18] Jiang, Y., Z. Wan, J. Chen, and Z. Wang (2021). Knowledge Mapping of seafarers’ Health Research: A Bibliometric Analysis. Maritime Policy & Management 50 (5): 692–705. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2021.2017039.
• [19] Vlachos, I., Pantouvakis, A., & Karakasnaki, M. (2022). Determinants and stressors of seafarers’ job satisfaction: Evidence from a global survey. Maritime Policy & Management, 51(2), 283–303. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2022.2118884
• [20] Gard. (2024). At least 11 % of seafarer deaths are due to suicide (loss-prevention data brief).
• [21] Lefkowitz, R.Y., & Slade, M.D. (2019). ITF Seafarers’ Trust – Yale University Seafarer Mental Health Study (technical report).

Uwagi

1. Pełne imiona podano na stronie internetowej czasopisma w "Authors in other databases."

2. Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr POPUL/SP/0154/2024/02 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki II" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki (2025).