Detection and analysis of symptoms in the mental health of seafarers

The mental health of seafarers is significantly affected by various stress factors, including psychological, psychosocial, and physical stressors. In this context, the primary aim of the study is to identify mental health symptoms among seafarers and examine the relationship between personality traits and mental health symptoms. The study employs the SCL-90-R Scale and the Shortened Big Five Personality Scale as data collection instruments, while the convenience sampling method has been used for sample selection. The sample includes 1,109 seafarers from various nationalities. The data were analyzed using the IBM® SPSS® 26.0 and Amos© 23.0, through which reliability and validity tests of the scales were conducted, followed by the application of Structural Equation Modeling and difference analyses. Additionally, the bibliometric mapping of symptoms was generated using the VOSviewer© 1.6.20 software. According to the research findings, Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms were identified as the most frequently occurring symptoms. Seafarers belonging to Generation Z and those in the Turkish group exhibited the highest levels of mental health symptoms. However, a negative correlation was found between the personality traits of Ideal Personality and Balanced Social Personality with mental health symptoms.