Seafarers' mental health and wellbeing

Sampson, Helen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5857-9452 and Ellis, Neil ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0493-8461 2019. Seafarers' mental health and wellbeing. [Project Report]. Cardiff, UK: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

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Abstract

This research has sought to provide fresh insight into the issue of seafarers’ mental ill health. Existing studies have been hampered by the difficulties associated with accessing sufficient information about international seafarer populations and their mental health status to allow for comparisons to be made with other workers and/or over time. This research adopted a different approach to the issue and sought to clarify whether mental ill health among seafarers is considered to be a significant problem by key stakeholders; what factors seafarers identify as supporting or undermining mental health and wellbeing on board cargo ships; and what policies and practices could be implemented by ship operators in order to provide better support for seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing. The research combined the use of questionnaires, interviewer-administered questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and an analysis of secondary data provided by insurance companies (known as P&I clubs). The study concluded that seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing is of considerable concern to maritime charities, employer associations and trade unions. It is, however, regarded as a less pressing problem by employers. The research found that seafarers and some employers advocate proactive measures to improve the shipboard communications infrastructure and available recreational facilities, seafarers’ employment terms and conditions and physical health in support of better mental health and wellbeing on board. These measures are likely to be more effective in improving happiness and mental health and wellbeing on board than current reactive strategies (e.g. the provision of counselling to seafarers) and self help strategies targeted at seafarers.

Item Type:	Monograph (Project Report)
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC) Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Publisher:	Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	18 March 2024
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2024 21:24
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/167326

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