Perceived Stress and Quality of Life Among Filipino Seafarers: Basis for A Culturally Adapted Mental Health Program

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between perceived stress and quality of life (QoL) among Filipino seafarers employed aboard international cargo vessels and explored their experiences to inform the development of a culturally adapted mental health program. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed-methods design, quantitative data were obtained from 150 Filipino seafarers, complemented by semi-structured interviews with 15 purposively selected participants. Perceived stress and QoL were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale–10 (PSS-10) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, group-comparison tests, and Pearson correlation analysis, while qualitative accounts underwent reflexive thematic analysis. Results indicated moderate perceived stress (M = 19.38, SD = 4.66), with 85.3% of respondents classified within the moderate stress category. Among the QoL domains, psychological well-being obtained the highest mean score (M = 71.83), whereas the environmental domain recorded the lowest (M = 48.48). Perceived stress demonstrated significant negative correlations with physical health (r = −.647, p < .001), psychological well-being (r = −.586, p < .001), social relationships (r = −.266, p = .001), and environmental quality of life (r = −.491, p < .001). Significant differences in perceived stress were also identified according to age, civil status, occupational rank, and years of maritime service. Eight qualitative themes captured occupational pressures, family separation, coping practices, mental health stigma, multidimensional well-being, support needs, safety responsibilities, and geopolitical uncertainty. Integration of both strands revealed that personal resilience and culturally grounded coping coexist with organizational and environmental constraints affecting seafarers' well-being. These findings informed the proposed Advancing Navigational Competence, Health, and Organizational Resilience (ANCHOR) Mental Health Program, emphasizing culturally responsive, confidential, and organizationally supported mental health care. Given the cross-sectional design and non-probability sampling, findings do not establish causality or population-wide generalizability. The proposed program requires future implementation and evaluation.