Work-family conflict and work alienation among seafarers: The mediating role of emotional exhaustion

Abstract

Working on ships in challenging conditions and with limited social contact, seafarers are separated from their families for much of the year. Moreover, the recent global crises have restricted seafarers’ connections with the shore. The necessity to work away from family can cause emotional exhaustion and work alienation among seafarers. Today, when the demand for maritime transportation has reached the highest levels, it is important to identify the factors that lead to the alienation of seafarers, who are the building blocks of the sector in the profession. Therefore, this study investigated the mediating role of emotional exhaustion in the association between work-family conflict and work alienation among seafarers. The participants of this study were 360 seafarers. The researchers used structural equation modeling to analyze the proposed hypotheses. The results of the mediation model indicated a significant and positive association between work-family conflict and work alienation, with emotional exhaustion partially mediating this association. Therefore, the study found that higher levels of work-family conflict were associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion and work alienation. The results provide a different perspective on the challenges faced by seafarers and have practical implications.