Mental health problems and their related factors among seafarers: a scoping review

Abstract

Background Seafarers are often reported to be engaged in a dangerous physical and psychosocial work environment. However, mental health status among seafarers has not been focused on compared with physical health issues. Systematic, comprehensive reviews of mental health problems and their relevant factors are lacking. This review aimed to clarify beneficial approaches to the mental health problems faced among seafarers using a scoping review to systematically map the evidence regarding mental health issues and their related factors. Methods Studies were searched on MEDLINE/PubMed, Science Direct, Academic search complete using EBSCOhost databases, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of science on 20, August 2020. This scoping review was conducted based on the framework of Arksey and O’Malley and Preferred Reporting items for Scoping Reviews flow diagram. The inclusion criteria were studies which determined the relationship between factors relevant to working conditions or working environment, and mental health in seafarers, and etc. Data were narratively summarized and reported. Results Twenty-four were included in this review while two major findings were clarified. Firstly, the prevalence of stress, depressive symptoms, and burnout have been mentioned for decades. Secondly, factors related to mental health and psychological issues can be categorized as individual and work environmental factors. The individual factors include experience, age, health status (high BMI, poor sleep, and diabetics), and resilience. The work environmental factors consist of two parts. Job demands comprise pressure from contractors/customers/time, working hours, ship department, job title, voyage episodes, period of seafaring, noise, and vibration. The job resources included instrumental support, team cohesion, shipboard caring and effort-reward imbalance. Conclusions A beneficial approach to mental health problems faced among seafarers is necessary to understand comprehensively at individual and organization levels. Promoting health behaviors, training resilience, and managing obesity and chronic diseases comprise individual level strategies. Providing seafarers with adequate instrumental support, and practical support to communicate with customers, managing their distinct work-rest hours and adequate effort-reward balance comprise organization level methods.

Analysis of Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and Fatigue Among Yacht Crew: A Case Study of Turkish Yacht Crew Operating in the Southern Aegean Sea

“…H 6 : To explore the association between burnout and job satisfaction. The hypothesis suggests that higher levels of burnout may be associated with lower levels of job satisfaction among yacht crew members (62). H 7 : To investigate the potential relationship between burnout and fatigue.…”

Seafarers’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: An examination of current supportive measures and their perceived effectiveness

“…A large body of literature has explored various risk factors affecting seafarers’ mental health, demonstrating that the working environment at sea exposes seafarers to stress and psychological harm ( Abila and Acejo, 2021 , Abila and Tang, 2014 , Iversen, 2012 , Jonglertmontree et al, 2022 , Sampson and Ellis, 2021 ). Nevertheless, due to the stigma associated with mental health problems, it is suggested that seafarers are reluctant to acknowledge them and seek support.…”

A Systematic Review of Assessment Methods for Seafarers’ Mental Health and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…36 Seafarers' mental health and well-being gained special attention with the COVID-19 pandemic, and 5 literature reviews have been published since March 2019. [37][38][39][40][41] These reviews exhaustively analyzed the factors affecting seafarers' mental health and well-being during the period. The literature mainly focused on describing the factors that contribute to either improving seafarers' mental health or preventing seafarers from becoming mentally ill. 42 The study of seafarers' mental health and its screening and monitoring has been the subject of significant attention during the COVID-19 period and post-pandemic.…”