Philippine E-Journals

Filipino Seafarers’ Lived Experiences towards a Wellness Model

Gina Mae H. Basco | Ma. Cecilia D. Alimen | Rolando A. Alimen

Discipline: Social Science

 

Abstract:

This quantitative-qualitative study was conducted to describe the lived experiences relating to stress, stressors, and coping responses of Filipino seafarers leading to the design of a biopsychosociospiritual wellness program. This study was anchored on van Manen’s (1990) phenomenological theory. Respondents of this study were ten (10) selected seafarers. This study used interviews, questionnaires, and focus group discussion. Results were as follows: seafarers have experienced disturbed sleep, headache, and depression, as their main stress experiences; seafarers’ stressors experienced were delayed promotion, insufficient income, and children’s poor health and children’s poor performance; seafarers’ coping behaviors were praying, talking with friends or shipmates, and viewing movies; seafarers’ autonomy through the design of the wellness program to improve their life and their well-being not only for themselves but for their loved ones. Comprehensive Wellness Program for Seafarers: A Biopsychosociospiritual Approach describes the holistic and comprehensive strategies/activities that seafarers can engage with to assure their over-all wellness and holistic development. Seafarer’s health, creating a full and balanced lifestyle and achieves the best professional can be achieved. Interest in the plight of seafarers coincides with the comprehensive whole seafarer wellness model that includes biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions.