A MULTI-REGIONAL STUDY OF MENTAL HEALTH OF SHIP CREW AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR MARITIME POLICY

Abstract

Seafarers' mental health is a crucial issue often overlooked in maritime policy, even though work stress at sea has direct implications for shipping safety. Previous studies have focused more on the technical aspects of ship safety, while the psychological dimensions of crew members have not been comprehensively integrated into maritime safety systems. This gap creates an urgent need to examine the factors influencing crew members' mental health and how maritime policies can mediate the improvement of seafarers' psychological well-being. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the Maritime Safety Index, the Ship's Work Environment, Regional Characteristics of Operation, Maritime Policy, and Crew Member Mental Health. The method used is a mixed-method sequential explanatory approach, with a quantitative predominance (n = 309 respondents in Batam, Jakarta, and Surabaya) which is further deepened through in-depth interviews with 24 crew members. Quantitative data analysis uses Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that the Maritime Safety Index (T = 3.285; p = 0.001), Regional Characteristics of Operation (T = 2.801; p = 0.005), and Maritime Policy (T = 2.909; p = 0.004) have a significant effect on seafarers' mental health, while the influence of the Work Environment becomes significant through the mediating role of policy (T = 2.410; p = 0.016). Qualitatively, 79% of respondents experience stress due to long working hours and 67% of maritime accidents are related to fatigue. This study emphasizes the need for human-centered maritime policy reform as a strategy to strengthen the safety culture and sustainability of the shipping sector.