McVeigh, Joanne, MacLachlan, Malcolm, Coyle, Camille and Kavanagh, Bill (2018) Perceptions of well-being, resilience and stress amongst a sample of merchant seafarers and superintendents. Maritime Studies. ISSN 2212-9790
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Abstract
Significant changes in the seafaring industry have increased occupational demands at sea, challenging the psychosocial wellbeing of seafarers. The primary aim of this study was to explore perceptions and experiences of well-being, resilience and stress
amongst a sample of merchant seafarers and superintendents. Exploring perceptions of well-being, resilience and stress amongst
this sample is required to inform organisational policies in the interest of improving working and living conditions for maritime
workers. Semi-structured interviews (n = 11) and one focus group (n = 13) were conducted with superintendents, officers and
ratings/crew of a large shipping company to explore their perceptions of well-being, resilience and stress. Analysis was conducted
using descriptive and interpretive qualitative methods. Findings were interwoven by two critical themes. The first, recent
changes, was expressed by participants in relation to fewer opportunities to relieve stress in recent years due to reduced
socialisation and shore leave. The second, organisational justice, was indicated by participants regarding the importance of a
just work environment. Although depression and other forms of psychosocial distress may be experienced individually, their
causes are multifaceted and cannot be addressed only at the level of individual functioning. We must address causes of perceived
injustice at the organisational and industry levels, alongside supporting the capacity of individuals to cope with challenging
situations. A working environment that is experienced as supportive and just is therefore crucial for individually focused
psychosocial interventions to be optimally applied.
Item Type: | Article |
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Keywords: | Merchant seafarers; Maritime; Psychosocial; Well-being; Resilience; Stress; Organisational justice; Shell; |
Academic Unit: | Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology |
Item ID: | 13226 |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s40152-018-0129-1 |
Depositing User: | Joanne McVeigh |
Date Deposited: | 14 Sep 2020 14:10 |
Journal or Publication Title: | Maritime Studies |
Publisher: | Springer |
Refereed: | Yes |
Related URLs: | |
URI: | https://mu.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/13226 |
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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