Seafarers’ daily social media exposure for > 2 hours may increase anxiety

As explained, several studies have linked social media use to increased risks for anxiety and depression. Cargo seafaring is one occupation prone to constant mental health instability due to workload, social isolation, and harsh working conditions.

We examined the effect of daily social media exposure, occupational experience, and socioeconomic factors on anxiety and depression disorders among cargo seafarers.

According to the report, aproximately 30% and 37% of the seafarers had mild, moderate, or severe anxiety and depression disorders. The prevalence of anxiety was 2.68 times higher and 2.27 times higher among seafarers who spend > 2 to 4 hours and > 4 hours each day, respectively, on social media compared to seafarers who spend only up to 2 hours.

In addition, seafarers who were on social media daily for > 2 to 4 hours and > 4 hours had a higher prevalence of depression compared to seafarers who were on social media daily for only up to 2 hours.

Various mechanisms could account for the association between social media use and mental health disorder. People who engage in high levels of social media use may experience more inadequate quality sleep, which may be a mediator on the pathway to depression or anxiety.

What is more, time spent on social media may also increase the risk of experiencing cyberbullying, which may lead to an increased risk for depression, particularly in teenagers and young adults.

This study documents that daily social media exposure for > 2 hours may increase the risk of anxiety and depression among cargo seafarers. In addition, susceptibility to increased risk of depression and anxiety is more likely to occur among cargo seafarers with ten years or less experience.

Concluding, behind the study were Arianne A. Zamora, Zypher Jude G. Regencia, Marilyn E. Crisostomo, Guido Van Hal, Emmanuel S. Baja.

EXPLORE THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME HEALTH JOURNAL REPORT HERE