Mapping Mental Health of Seafarers Post-COVID-19: A Gaussian Graphical Model of Depression, Anxiety, and Maritime Working Conditions

Sivri, F ORCID: 0000-0002-3666-0284, Uğurlu, Ö ORCID: 0000-0002-3788-1759, Blanco-Davis, E ORCID: 0000-0001-8080-4997, Şenbursa, N ORCID: 0000-0001-5144-4240 and Wang, J ORCID: 0000-0003-4646-9106 (2025) Mapping Mental Health of Seafarers Post-COVID-19: A Gaussian Graphical Model of Depression, Anxiety, and Maritime Working Conditions. Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 62. ISSN 0046-9580

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Abstract

This cross-sectional study examines the levels of depression and anxiety experienced by seafarers working in countries bordering the Black Sea in the post-COVID-19 period; it also evaluates the effects of these mental conditions on socio-demographic variables, problems encountered in ship and port environments during the pandemic, and career planning. Analyzes were conducted using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scales. Additionally, a Gaussian Graphical Model (GGM) was used to analyze the interaction between psychological outcomes and working conditions and career planning. Findings reveal that, compared to pre-pandemic levels, depression and anxiety levels remain high. According to the results, 38.8% of participants show signs of depression, and 56.7% exhibit symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety levels are higher among officers and those with less maritime experience. GGM analysis shows that while the direct effects of COVID-19 have diminished, interactions between shipboard and port-related challenges persist. Strong relationships were observed between stressful working conditions on board, excessive alcohol consumption, and pressure from superiors. Port-related issues such as feeling isolated at port and pressure from port authorities emerged as key bridging variables in the network. Ship-related issues have a greater impact on seafarers’ well-being in the working conditions compared to port-related issues; however, port-related issues should also be addressed through appropriate interventions. A weak association was also found between the intention to discontinue working on board and the level of anxiety. Based on these findings, it is recommended to systematically address workplace tension due to work pressure, implement onboard psychological monitoring, provide targeted support for junior officers, integrate mental health training in maritime academies, improve leadership and workload balance, and include psychosocial indicators in post-contract evaluations.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans; Normal Distribution; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Anxiety; Mental Health; Ships; Adult; Middle Aged; Workplace; Female; Male; Occupational Stress; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Working Conditions; Gaussian graphical model; anxiety; depression; post COVID-19; seafarer; working condition; Humans; COVID-19; Male; Female; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ships; Anxiety; Depression; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Mental Health; Workplace; Normal Distribution; Occupational Stress; Working Conditions; 4203 Health Services and Systems; 4206 Public Health; 42 Health Sciences; Mental Health; Mental Illness; Behavioral and Social Science; Depression; Brain Disorders; Coronaviruses; Emerging Infectious Diseases; Clinical Research; Infectious Diseases; Mental health; 3 Good Health and Well Being; Humans; COVID-19; Male; Female; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ships; Anxiety; Depression; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Mental Health; Workplace; Normal Distribution; Occupational Stress; Working Conditions; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; Health Policy & Services; 4203 Health services and systems; 4206 Public health
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology V Naval Science > VM Naval architecture. Shipbuilding. Marine engineering
Divisions:	Engineering
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Date of acceptance:	31 July 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	7 October 2025
Date Deposited:	07 Oct 2025 15:41
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2025 16:00
DOI or ID number:	10.1177/00469580251371386
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27292

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