EMOTIONAL WELLBEING EVALUATION OF FISHERFOLK USING COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS SCALES

Abstract

This study assesses emotional wellbeing among fisherfolk in relation to community connectedness. Fisherfolk communities are susceptible to psychosocial stressors stemming from their environment, economy, and society. In this study, the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index and an adapted Community Connectedness Scale (CCS) were administered to participants from selected coastal regions to gather data. Quantitative analysis showed a correlation (r=0.62) between community connectedness and emotional wellbeing. Participants as peers with greater social relations and community connections reported better psychological health. Qualitative data confirmed the influence of culture and social support on resilience as a community. This research highlights the need to include community-based mental health and coastal development policy and provides proactive culturally appropriate frameworks for assessing emotional wellbeing in vulnerable occupational groups.