“Navigating the

waves: Mental Health

challenges and coping
strategies during
first-time ship
Deployment”

Presented by: Aris Renz Sangalang

CELTECH COLLEGE
OLONGAPO CITY
RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY
Despite the extensive research on
mental health in military and maritime
settings, there is a gap in understanding
the specific challenges faced by
individuals during their first-time ship
deployment.
This study aims to fill this gap by
identifying the mental health challenges
encountered and the coping strategies
employed by first-time onboard.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The primary theoretical framework guiding
this study is Lazarus and Folkman's Stress
and Coping Theory. This theory posits that
stress results from an individual's perception
of a discrepancy between the demands of a
situation and their resources to cope.
Coping strategies are the methods used to
manage this stress and can be problem-
focused
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This investigation aims to determine the mental health
challenges faced by individuals during their first-time ship
deployment, the coping strategies they employ, and the
role of social support. The study explores how these
factors interrelate and vary across different demographics.

Specifically, this research attempts to find answers to the

following questions:

Mental Health Challenges

What are the most common mental health challenges
faced by individuals during their first-time ship
deployment, considering the entire group and
classifications based on:
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Coping Strategies
What coping strategies are employed by these individuals to manage their
mental health in general and in terms of:

Social Support
How does social support influence the relationship between mental health
challenges and coping strategies during first-time ship deployment?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study, "Navigating the Waves: Mental Health Challenges and Coping
Strategies During First-Time Ship Deployment," is beneficial for several key
stakeholders: Maritime Organizations

Mental Health Professionals

Policymakers
Seafarers
Academic Researchers
DEFINITION OF TERMS
First-Time Ship Deployment: This refers to the initial assignment of
individuals to live and work on a ship for a specified period.
Mental Health Challenges: These encompass the various psychological
issues and stressors experienced by individuals during their first-time ship
deployment.
Coping Strategies: These are the adaptive mechanisms and techniques
employed by individuals to manage and mitigate the mental health
challenges and stressors encountered during their first-time ship
deployment.
Social Support: This refers to the assistance, empathy, and validation
received from family, friends, colleagues, and support networks.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This study focuses on individuals experiencing
their first ship deployment, examining their
mental health challenges and coping strategies
over a six-month period.

The study may be limited by self-reported

data, which can be subject to bias. Additionally,
the specific demographic characteristics of the
sample may not be generalizable to all
populations.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Sources of Mental Health Challenges
Isolation:
Confined Spaces
High Operational Demands
Abrupt Lifestyle Changes

Effects of Mental Health Challenges

Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Feelings of Isolation
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Coping Strategies
Problem-Focused Coping
Emotion-Focused Coping

Influence of Social Support

Family Support
Peer Support
Organizational Support

Implications for Mental Health Interventions

Development of Targeted Interventions
Training Programs
Support Systems
Policy Recommendations
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
The study utilizes a quantitative research approach, allowing for the systematic collection and
analysis of numerical data to address the research questions. By employing a survey
questionnaire, the study gathers information on mental health challenges, coping strategies,
and social support perceptions from participants.
The variables used in the research include:
Independent Variables:
Age
Length of deployment
Rank
Moderator Variable:
Social support
Dependent Variables:
Mental health challenges
Coping strategies
RESPONDENTS
Sampling Techniques
This study utilizes purposive sampling to select respondents. Purposive sampling is a non-probability
sampling technique where the researcher selects participants based on specific characteristics or criteria
that are relevant to the study.
Criteria for Selection:
Students currently undergoing their first-time ship deployment.
Representation from different age groups:
Younger (below 25 years old)
Older (25 years old and above)
Representation based on the length of sea experience:
Finished Contract
Not Finished Contract
Representation from different specializations:
Engine Department
Deck Department
SOURCES OF DATA
The primary source of data for this study is a structured survey questionnaire designed to capture
information on mental health challenges, coping strategies, and perceptions of social support among
participants

Questionnaire Structure

The questionnaire consists of both open-ended and close-

ended questions to ensure comprehensive data collection.

Close-Ended Questions
For close-ended questions, content validity is ensured
through a review by subject matter experts. Reliability testing
is conducted using Cronbach's alpha at a significance level
of .05 for questions utilizing a 4-point Likert scale. For
dichotomous responses, the Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR-20)
formula is used.
Number of Items: The
questionnaire consists of 30
close-ended items.
SOURCES OF DATA
Response Options:
Dichotomous Responses:
Yes: 1
No: 0

Likert Scale Responses:

Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 3
Disagree: 2
Strongly Disagree: 1
SOURCES OF DATA
Open-Ended Questions

Content validity for open-ended

questions is ensured through careful
construction and expert review to
capture detailed responses from
participants.

Number of Items: The questionnaire

includes 5 open-ended questions.
CONTENT VALIDITY
Close-Ended Questions: Content validity
is ensured through a comprehensive
review by subject matter experts in
maritime studies and mental health, who
evaluate the relevance and clarity of
each item.

Open-Ended Questions: Content validity

is ensured by designing questions that
allow respondents to provide detailed
and nuanced information about their
experiences and perceptions.
RELIABILITY TESTING
Close-Ended Questions:

Reliability testing for the close-ended questions using a 4-point

Likert scale is conducted using Cronbach's alpha. This
statistical test measures the internal consistency of the
questionnaire items. A Cronbach's alpha value of .70 or higher
at a significance level of .05 is considered acceptable.

For dichotomous response items, reliability is assessed using

the Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR-20) formula, which is suitable for
binary data. A KR-20 value of .70 or higher indicates acceptable
reliability.
The structured survey questionnaire is meticulously designed to ensure the
collection of valid and reliable data on mental health challenges, coping
strategies, and perceptions of social support among students undergoing
their first-time ship deployment. The combination of open-ended and close-
ended questions allows for both quantitative and qualitative analysis,
providing a comprehensive understanding of the study's focus areas.
Thanks