Emotional dimensions as correlates to coping behaviors among Filipino seafarers: Basis for a proposed coping skills program

Abstract

This study aims to illustrate the emotions profile, identify the least and most practiced coping behaviors, and the relationship between the two variables among Filipino seafarers. A total of 199 respondents were gathered and selected through purposive sampling technique. Instruments used in this study were: Emotions Profile Index to measure the emotional dimensions of the respondents, and Proactive Coping Inventory for coping behaviors.

The findings revealed that Filipino seafarers have high trustful and timidity, and extremely low percentile scores on Dyscontrolled, Distrust, and Aggressive emotional dimensions. In terms of coping behaviors, results revealed that the respondents practiced Preventive Coping, Strategic Planning, and Emotional Support Seeking more than the others. While Instrumental Support Seeking, Proactive Coping, and Avoidance Coping are the three least performed coping behaviors. In terms of correlational relationships between the two variable, results revealed that Trust and Gregarious has positively significant link with coping behaviors while Dyscontrolled, Distrustful, and Aggressive emotional dimensions have significant but negative relationship with coping behaviors. Lastly, Depressed emotional dimension has the only positive correlational value with Avoidance Coping.

Based on these findings, the researcher recommended to the manning agencies and maritime training centers to provide the following to their crewmembers: Psychoeducation on Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, and Problem-Solving skills, and Group Dynamics activities that enhance their communication and assertiveness skills.