Psychosocial issues and sleep quality among seafarers: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Background Seafarers, especially those working for a prolonged period of time, are exposed to a high number of social, psychological and physical stressors including irregular working hours. Aim This study aims to identify important aspects of Asian seafarers’ psychosocial wellbeing and quality of sleep that could affect safety and health of the seafarers in long voyage tankers. Methods In this mixed method study, psychological health issues were investigated through semi-structured interviews with 17 Asian male seafarers. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. In the quantitative phase, 179 seafarers completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) on sleep quality. Results From the interviews, three categories consisting of six themes emerged, including sleep abnormalities, inevitable stressors, and lack of social communication. The majority of the seafarers believed that their quality of sleep was affected by their physical work environment and by issues raised by their families. As reasons for stress at sea, they mentioned the nature of the occupation and the psychosocial work environment. Most participants pointed out that lack of social communications had adverse effects on both their work lives on board and their private lives at home. In the quantitative phase, the response rate was 81.4%. Mean PSQI index was 5.9 (SD 2.6 and range from 2 to 14). Sleep impairment was higher in academic than non-academic individuals (p < 0.001). Conclusion Sleep abnormalities and lack of social communication should be considered as modifiable risk factors for seafarers’ psychosocial well-being at sea.

“I Constantly Feel Worn Out”: Mixed-methodology Approach to Seafarers’ Sleep on Board

“…The previously mentioned sleep problems indicate an increase in the workload of seafarers due to various factors, such as economic or safety factors, and this leads to a decrease in free time and the amount of sleep. Baygi et al 21 state that the quality of sleep was mentioned as the most significant health problem they had to deal with on board, and consequently, various difficulties arise, such as physical and mental difficulties that affect the functioning of seafarers, which poses a danger to health, but also to safety at sea. The results of our study on a convenient sample of seafarers suggest that almost 40% of our sample reported having sleep difficulties.…”

“…It can be assumed that because of this, seafarers have difficulties with the quality of sleep, but also with the amount of sleep, which according to research should be an average of 7 h for adults. 20 Recent mixed methods study 21 indicated on sleeping problems as one of the essential threat to psychological well-being on-board. According to this study, on-board sleeping problems arise directly from working environment and working conditions.…”