open access

Vol 72, No 1 (2021)
Original article
Submitted: 2021-01-05
Accepted: 2021-03-12
Published online: 2021-03-29
Get Citation

Effect of daily social media exposure on anxiety and depression disorders among cargo seafarers: a cross-sectional study

Arianne A. Zamora1, Zypher Jude G. Regencia2, Marilyn E. Crisostomo3, Guido Van Hal1, Emmanuel S. Baja24
·
Pubmed: 33829474
·
IMH 2021;72(1):55-63.
Affiliations
  1. Research Group Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Research Unit Medical Sociology and Health Policy, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
  2. Exposure Assessment, Epidemiology, and Risk Lab, Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines-Manila, 1000 Manila, Philippines
  3. Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines-Manila, 1000 Manila, Philippines
  4. Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines-Manila, 1000 Manila, Philippines

open access

Vol 72, No 1 (2021)
MARITIME PSYCHOLOGY Original article
Submitted: 2021-01-05
Accepted: 2021-03-12
Published online: 2021-03-29

Abstract

Background: Several studies have linked social media use to increased risks for anxiety and depression. Cargo seafaring is one occupation prone to constant mental health instability due to workload, social isolation, and harsh working conditions. We examined the effect of daily social media exposure, occupational experience, and socioeconomic factors on anxiety and depression disorders among cargo seafarers.

Materials and methods: We assessed the anxiety and depression disorders of 153 cargo seafarers using Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scales. We fitted generalised linear models to estimate associations between depression and anxiety disorders and daily social media exposure, occupational experience, and socioeconomic factors.

Results: Approximately 30% and 37% of the seafarers had mild, moderate, or severe anxiety and depression disorders. The prevalence of anxiety was 2.68 times higher (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 2.68, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.30–5.50) and 2.27 times higher (aPR 2.27; 95% CI 1.12–4.62) among seafarers who spend > 2 to 4 hours and > 4 hours each day, respectively, on social media compared to seafarers who spend only up to 2 hours. In addition, seafarers who were on social media daily for > 2 to 4 hours (aPR 1.49; 95% CI 0.86–2.60) and > 4 hours (aPR 1.34; 95% CI 0.75–2.40) had a higher prevalence of depression compared to seafarers who were on social media daily for only up to 2 hours. Non-Catholics or seafarers with ≤ 10 years of occupational experience had a higher prevalence for anxiety and depression disorders than Catholics or seafarers with > 10 years of occupational experience.

Conclusions: Daily social media exposure for > 2 hours, working for ≤ 10 years, or being a non-Catholic may contribute to the increase in the seafarers’ susceptibility to depression and anxiety disorders. The establishment of support groups for cargo seafarers is warranted to promote mental health awareness and well-being.

Abstract

Background: Several studies have linked social media use to increased risks for anxiety and depression. Cargo seafaring is one occupation prone to constant mental health instability due to workload, social isolation, and harsh working conditions. We examined the effect of daily social media exposure, occupational experience, and socioeconomic factors on anxiety and depression disorders among cargo seafarers.

Materials and methods: We assessed the anxiety and depression disorders of 153 cargo seafarers using Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scales. We fitted generalised linear models to estimate associations between depression and anxiety disorders and daily social media exposure, occupational experience, and socioeconomic factors.

Results: Approximately 30% and 37% of the seafarers had mild, moderate, or severe anxiety and depression disorders. The prevalence of anxiety was 2.68 times higher (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 2.68, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.30–5.50) and 2.27 times higher (aPR 2.27; 95% CI 1.12–4.62) among seafarers who spend > 2 to 4 hours and > 4 hours each day, respectively, on social media compared to seafarers who spend only up to 2 hours. In addition, seafarers who were on social media daily for > 2 to 4 hours (aPR 1.49; 95% CI 0.86–2.60) and > 4 hours (aPR 1.34; 95% CI 0.75–2.40) had a higher prevalence of depression compared to seafarers who were on social media daily for only up to 2 hours. Non-Catholics or seafarers with ≤ 10 years of occupational experience had a higher prevalence for anxiety and depression disorders than Catholics or seafarers with > 10 years of occupational experience.

Conclusions: Daily social media exposure for > 2 hours, working for ≤ 10 years, or being a non-Catholic may contribute to the increase in the seafarers’ susceptibility to depression and anxiety disorders. The establishment of support groups for cargo seafarers is warranted to promote mental health awareness and well-being.

Get Citation

Keywords

anxiety disorder, Catholic, depression disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7, occupational experience, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, seafarers, social media

About this article
Title

Effect of daily social media exposure on anxiety and depression disorders among cargo seafarers: a cross-sectional study

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 72, No 1 (2021)

Article type

Original article

Pages

55-63

Published online

2021-03-29

Page views

3294

Article views/downloads

6188

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2021.0008

Pubmed

33829474

Bibliographic record

IMH 2021;72(1):55-63.

Keywords

anxiety disorder
Catholic
depression disorder
Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7
occupational experience
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
seafarers
social media

Authors

Arianne A. Zamora
Zypher Jude G. Regencia
Marilyn E. Crisostomo
Guido Van Hal
Emmanuel S. Baja

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