Quest for life satisfaction in the sea of loneliness
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether workplace loneliness is related to life satisfaction of seafarers on board deep-sea going cargo ships and to determine whether there exist differences in experienced workplace loneliness and life satisfaction between officers and ratings.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional research design was used to assess the variables in a sample of 521 seafarers sailing on foreign going vessels.
Results: The findings showed that workplace loneliness was an important dimension for determining life satisfaction. As for the differences in the experienced loneliness, the findings show that there is a difference between officers and ratings. The findings support the theory of need for belongingness, which emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relations at work in understanding the well-being among workers.
Conclusions: This study is of practical significance to ship owners and ship managers, where they can use the findings to implement interventions for improving the individual’s life satisfaction.
Keywords: workplace lonelinesslife satisfactionrankseafarers
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