McVeigh, Joanne and MacLachlan, Malcolm
(2019)
A silver wave? Filipino shipmates’ experience of merchant seafaring.
Marine Policy, 99.
pp. 283-297.
ISSN 0308-597X
Abstract
Aims: Seafarers are an occupational group amongst those at the highest risk for stress, which may in turn influence their mental and physical health. The primary aim of this study was to explore perceptions and experiences of stress, resilience, and well-being amongst a sample of Filipino merchant seafarers.
Methods: Focus groups were conducted with merchant seafarers working in a large shipping organisation. Four
focus groups were conducted, each with eight ratings (n = 32) (all male). Participants were Filipino ratings
across all departments (deck, engine and galley), and worked onboard liquefied natural gas carriers, product oil
tankers and crude oil tankers, operating globally. Qualitative data was analysed using the descriptive and interpretive qualitative methods.
Results: Ratings communicated their perceptions and experiences of stress, resilience and well-being in relation
to 11 domains: workload; safety; social; support; salary; food; shore leave and signing off and on; nationality and
culture; management; inequality; and optimisation. Two critical broader themes interlaced the findings. The
first, recent changes, was highlighted by participants regarding the need for more socialisation and shore leave for
example. The second, organisational justice, was emphasised by ratings regarding, for instance, the importance of
an equal and fair work environment.
Conclusion: Supporting the psychosocial well-being of seafarers may benefit both the individual seafarer and
their employer, through improved well-being and increased work performance, comprising a virtuous reinforcing cycle. Importantly, a work environment seen as supportive and just is necessary to provide a good platform
upon which individually focused psychosocial interventions can be optimally applied.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Maritime;
Merchant seafarers;
Stress;
Resilience;
Well-being;
Qualitative; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology |
| Item ID: |
13966 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2018.10.012 |
| Depositing User: |
Joanne McVeigh
|
| Date Deposited: |
08 Feb 2021 15:46 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Marine Policy |
| Publisher: |
Elsevier |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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