open access

Vol 59, No 1-4 (2008)
MARITIME HEALTH
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-29
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Stress in seamen and non seamen employed by the same company

Dominique Jegaden, Brice Lodde, David Lucas, Jean Ariel Bronstein, Michel Feraud, Yves Eusen, Jean Dominique Dewitte
IMH 2008;59(1-4):53-60.

open access

Vol 59, No 1-4 (2008)
MARITIME HEALTH
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-29

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this survey was to compare the level of professional stress among seamen – crew members - who work on French oceanographic vessels to the one of technicians and engineers from the oceanographic institute, who board the ships to operate special equipment during sea voyages.
Results: two groups of subjects were included: 74 seamen and 74 non seamen, males of comparable ages were questioned. Results showed that there was no significant difference in strain at work and social support between them (41 seamen and 50 non seaman professionals who filled in the questionnaires). There was a very significant difference in the decision latitude: much lower level for seamen as compared to non seamen. 17% compared to zero percent of non seamen were ranked in the heavy strain/low decision latitude category regarded by Karasek as a high risk of stress (compared to 0% of non seaman professionals). 33% of seamen in this group reached a score that indicated psychical stress according to Langner’s total health test.
Conclusion: The results of the survey show that the occupation of seamen includes specific elements regarded by Karasek as leading to a risk of stress.
Method: Two questionnaires were used for collecting data:
- Langner’s total health test (22 items) that investigates the level of psychical stress,
- Karasek’s "Job Content Questionnaire" (38 items) used for investigation of strain at work, psychological pressure, decision latitude and social support. Data were processed by a statistical software : Sphinx, using Chi² test.
Results: two groups of subjects were included: 74 seamen and 74 non seamen, males of comparable ages were questioned. Results showed that there was no significant difference in strain at work and social support between them (41 seamen and 50 non seaman professionals who filled in the questionnaires). There was a very significant difference in the decision latitude: much lower level for seamen as compared to non seamen. 17% compared to zero percent of non seamen were ranked in the heavy strain/low decision latitude category regarded by Karasek as a high risk of stress (compared to 0% of non seaman professionals). 33% of seamen in this group reached a score that indicated psychical stress according to Langner’s total health test.
Conclusion: The results of the survey show that the occupation of seamen includes specific elements regarded by Karasek as leading to a risk of stress.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this survey was to compare the level of professional stress among seamen – crew members - who work on French oceanographic vessels to the one of technicians and engineers from the oceanographic institute, who board the ships to operate special equipment during sea voyages.
Results: two groups of subjects were included: 74 seamen and 74 non seamen, males of comparable ages were questioned. Results showed that there was no significant difference in strain at work and social support between them (41 seamen and 50 non seaman professionals who filled in the questionnaires). There was a very significant difference in the decision latitude: much lower level for seamen as compared to non seamen. 17% compared to zero percent of non seamen were ranked in the heavy strain/low decision latitude category regarded by Karasek as a high risk of stress (compared to 0% of non seaman professionals). 33% of seamen in this group reached a score that indicated psychical stress according to Langner’s total health test.
Conclusion: The results of the survey show that the occupation of seamen includes specific elements regarded by Karasek as leading to a risk of stress.
Method: Two questionnaires were used for collecting data:
- Langner’s total health test (22 items) that investigates the level of psychical stress,
- Karasek’s "Job Content Questionnaire" (38 items) used for investigation of strain at work, psychological pressure, decision latitude and social support. Data were processed by a statistical software : Sphinx, using Chi² test.
Results: two groups of subjects were included: 74 seamen and 74 non seamen, males of comparable ages were questioned. Results showed that there was no significant difference in strain at work and social support between them (41 seamen and 50 non seaman professionals who filled in the questionnaires). There was a very significant difference in the decision latitude: much lower level for seamen as compared to non seamen. 17% compared to zero percent of non seamen were ranked in the heavy strain/low decision latitude category regarded by Karasek as a high risk of stress (compared to 0% of non seaman professionals). 33% of seamen in this group reached a score that indicated psychical stress according to Langner’s total health test.
Conclusion: The results of the survey show that the occupation of seamen includes specific elements regarded by Karasek as leading to a risk of stress.
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Keywords

Seafarer; stress; questionnaire; job strain; boat

About this article
Title

Stress in seamen and non seamen employed by the same company

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 59, No 1-4 (2008)

Pages

53-60

Published online

2010-03-29

Page views

1153

Article views/downloads

1505

Bibliographic record

IMH 2008;59(1-4):53-60.

Keywords

Seafarer
stress
questionnaire
job strain
boat

Authors

Dominique Jegaden
Brice Lodde
David Lucas
Jean Ariel Bronstein
Michel Feraud
Yves Eusen
Jean Dominique Dewitte

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