Examination of the relationship between emotional regulation and psychological resilience levels in seafarers and psychological symptoms

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between emotional regulation and psychological resilience levels in sailors and psychological symptoms and to determine whether these relationships differ according to demographic characteristics. The study consisted of 94 sailors and 94 non-seamen aged between 18-65 years. The acceptance criteria for the participants who are sailor are to be on the ship for at least 1 week, and the criteria for the participants who are not a sailor. The study was conducted with 188 participants. The study was examined in accordance with the relational research model. Data collection tools used; Cognitive Emotion Regulation Scale, SCL-90 Symptom Screening Scale, Adult Psychological Resilience Scale and sociodemographic information form prepared by the researcher. SPSS 25.0 data package program was used in the analysis of the data. The findings of this study determined that sailors' levels of resilience had a significant relationship on psychological symptoms. In the study, it was observed that there was a significant relationship between focus of thought and psychological symptom. It was determined that the Cognitive Emotion Regulation findings differed according to demographic variables such as age, smoking, using alcohol, having children, and the frequency of travel. It was determined that the findings of Resilience for Adults differed according to demographic variables such as working status and the frequency of travel. At the last, it was determined that the Psychological Symptom findings differed according to demographic variables such as age, marital status, and alcohol use. It was observed that the findings of the participants with and without sailors were similar. In the light of the research data, it was determined that there was no difference in the level of emotion regulation, psychological resilience and psychological symptoms with or without being a sailor. The results obtained were discussed with the relevant literature and suggestions for further studies were presented.