Identifying Predictors of Stress and Job Satisfaction in a Sample of Merchant Seafarers Using Structural Equation...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Maritime Psychology
• Psychosocial Well-being

Background:

• Seafarers experience high occupational stress, impacting mental health.
• Psychological issues like depression, anxiety, and substance dependence are prevalent in the maritime sector.
• Understanding factors influencing seafarer well-being is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify individual and occupational factors predicting perceived stress in merchant seafarers.
• To determine factors predicting job satisfaction among merchant seafarers.
• To analyze the psychosocial functioning within the maritime industry.

Main Methods:

• Secondary data analysis of a work experiences and attitudes questionnaire.
• Utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a theoretical model.
• Sample comprised merchant seafarers from a large shipping company.

Main Results:

• SEM showed acceptable fit, though some indices indicated less than satisfactory model fit.
• Dispositional resilience was the strongest predictor of perceived stress (explaining 23.8% of variance).
• Instrumental work support was the strongest predictor of job satisfaction (explaining 70.6% of variance).

Conclusions:

• Enhancing dispositional resilience is key for managing seafarer stress.
• Improving instrumental work support is vital for seafarer job satisfaction.
• A supportive, equitable, and just work environment is fundamental for seafarer psychosocial well-being.