Stress, Coping Mechanisms, and Job Satisfaction of Cruise Ship Nurses: Basis for a Proposed Stress Management Intervention Program
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.24155389Keywords:
cruise ship nurses, occupational stress, coping mechanisms, job satisfaction, maritime healthcare, stress management interventionAbstract
This study assessed the stress levels, coping mechanisms, and job satisfaction of cruise ship nurses and examined the relationships among these variables as the basis for a proposed stress management intervention program. A quantitative descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional design was employed. Data were gathered from 158 registered nurses with experience on international cruise ships using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, an adapted Brief COPE Inventory, and a job satisfaction survey based on Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, and were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson product-moment correlation at the .05 level of significance. The respondents were predominantly experienced, multinational, and contractual. Overall stress was experienced sometimes (M = 2.50), with mental stress the most prominent dimension (M = 2.53), followed by physical (M = 2.50) and emotional stress (M = 2.47). Overall job satisfaction was neutral (M = 3.20), with intrinsic factors (M = 3.23) rated slightly higher than extrinsic factors (M = 3.19). Problem-focused (M = 2.58) and emotion-focused coping (M = 2.54) were used to a medium amount, while avoidance coping (M = 2.41) was used a little bit. Stress was not significantly correlated with job satisfaction (r = −.101, p = .206) but was significantly and positively correlated with problem-focused (r = .262, p = .001), emotion-focused (r = .292, p < .001), and avoidance coping (r = .319, p < .001). Only avoidance coping was significantly and negatively correlated with job satisfaction (r = −.288, p < .001). The findings indicate that workload-related mental demands and avoidance coping warrant attention alongside organizational conditions such as job security, compensation, and safety. These results informed the proposed Onboard Nurse Stress and Adaptive Coping Support Program, which combines workload and fatigue management, adaptive coping support, organizational communication, and peer cohesion, and which requires implementation and evaluation to establish its effectiveness.
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