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Stress and Strain among Seafarers Related to the Occupational Groups

Author

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  • Marcus Oldenburg

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Hans-Joachim Jensen

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine Hamburg (ZfAM), Department of Maritime Medicine, 20459 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

The present study analyses whether the stress and strain experienced by seafarers differ between the various occupational groups on board container ships. In a maritime field study, 323 sailors on 22 container ships were asked to complete a questionnaire and were biometrically surveyed. In addition, a survey of energy expenditure and heart rate (variability) was carried out with the SenseWear ® armband monitor and the Polar RS800 watch, respectively. The activity data objectively collected by the armband monitor showed an average sleep duration of 5.0 h per day, with particularly short sleep episodes amongst nautical officers. This occupational group also significantly more frequently reported sleep deficits (67%). The highest work-related energy expenditure per day was among the deck ratings (801 kcal), followed by the engine room personnel (777 kcal), and finally the nautical officers (568 kcal). The last-mentioned group, who were also the most likely to experience mental stress in the workplace, had the lowest heart rate variability compared to the other occupational groups. The average working time was the only stress parameter that correlated significantly negatively with the heart rate variability ( r = −0.387; p = 0.002). Overall, job-related stressors of seafarers on board should be objectified in further studies and occupational group-specific health promotion programmes should be developed.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcus Oldenburg & Hans-Joachim Jensen, 2019. "Stress and Strain among Seafarers Related to the Occupational Groups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:7:p:1153-:d:218610
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marcus Oldenburg & Hans-Joachim Jensen & Ute Latza & Xaver Baur, 2009. "Seafaring stressors aboard merchant and passenger ships," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 54(2), pages 96-105, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shervin Assari & Mohsen Bazargan, 2019. "Unequal Associations between Educational Attainment and Occupational Stress across Racial and Ethnic Groups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-11, September.
    2. Fan, Shiqi & Yang, Zaili, 2024. "Accident data-driven human fatigue analysis in maritime transport using machine learning," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    3. Li, Xue & Zhou, Yusheng & Yuen, Kum Fai, 2022. "A systematic review on seafarer health: Conditions, antecedents and interventions," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 11-25.
    4. Claire Giot & Laure Lejeune & Nicolas Bessot & Damien Davenne, 2023. "A Survey Exploring How Watch Officers Manage Effects of Sleep Restrictions during Maritime Navigation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-13, January.
    5. Fiona Kerkamm & Dorothee Dengler & Matthias Eichler & Danuta Materzok-Köppen & Lukas Belz & Felix Alexander Neumann & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax & Volker Harth & Marcus Oldenburg, 2023. "Sleep Architecture and Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders of Seafarers on Board Merchant Ships: A Polysomnographic Pilot Field Study on the High Seas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Marcus Oldenburg & Hans-Joachim Jensen, 2020. "Reply to Comment on Oldenburg, M., Jensen, H.J. Stress and Strain among Seafarers Related to the Occupational Groups. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019 , doi:10.3390/ijerph16071153," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-2, March.
    7. David Lucas & Olaf Chresten Jensen & Brice Loddé & Richard Pougnet & Jean-Dominique Dewitte & Dominique Jegaden, 2020. "Comment on Oldenburg, M., Jensen, H.J. Stress and Strain among Seafarers Related to the Occupational Groups. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, doi:10.3390/ijerph16071153," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-3, February.
    8. Siti Nazilah Mat Ali & Lucian-Ionel Cioca & Ruhiyah Sakinah Kayati & Jumadil Saputra & Muhammad Adam & Roxana Plesa & Raja Zirwatul Aida Raja Ibrahim, 2023. "A Study of Psychometric Instruments and Constructs of Work-Related Stress among Seafarers: A Qualitative Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-22, February.

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