Seafarers’ well-being in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
BACKGROUND: The public health strategies for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection have included closing the national borders and cancelling international flights, which has severely affected free crew changes. This caused prolonged stay on board or at home for seafarers, who should be recognized as ‘k...
Gespeichert in:
Veröffentlicht in: | Work (Reading, Mass.) Mass.), 2020-01, Vol.67 (4), p.799-809 |
---|---|
1. Verfasser: | |
Format: | Artikel |
Sprache: | eng |
Schlagworte: | |
Online-Zugang: | Volltext |
Tags: |
Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
|
Zusammenfassung: | BACKGROUND:
The public health strategies for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection have included
closing the national borders and cancelling international flights, which has severely
affected free crew changes. This caused prolonged stay on board or at home for
seafarers, who should be recognized as ‘key’ workers regarding their essential role in
maintaining the flow of vital goods.
OBJECTIVE:
Using a general inductive approach, this qualitative study aims to describe
how the COVID-19 pandemic reflects on seafarers’ well-being. The
study focused on obtaining personal experiences from seafarers on board, and seafarers
at home, relating to the current world pandemic.
METHODS:
A convenience sample consisting of 752 seafarers from the international seafarers’
population participated in an online study in spring 2020. The questionnaire used
included questions relating to basic sociodemographic and work characteristics, and one
open question which addressed seafarers’ personal experiences. The data obtained was
analysed by thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
The emerged themes included mental, physical,
social and economic well-being. Most of the answers
of seafarers located on board related to threatened mental, physical and social
well-being, while seafarers at home reported mostly on threats to their economic
well-being.
CONCLUSION:
Seafarers’ well-being is seriously threatened by preventive measures relating to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Results are discussed in relation to earlier findings in the area of
occupational stress in seafaring. Overall, the data obtained portrays existing
underlying occupational structures in the seafaring sector, which are rendered more
visible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In short, seafarers describe their reality as far
away from the concept of ‘key’ or ‘essential’ workers. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1051-9815 1875-9270 |
DOI: | 10.3233/WOR-203333 |