Seafarers' Mental Health in Sustainable Maritime Workplaces: A System Dynamics Approach to Workplace Bullying, Gender Equality, and Human Resource Management

Abstract

Seafarers operate in a distinctive occupational environment characterized by prolonged periods away from home, hierarchical organizational structures, multicultural crews, demanding work schedules, and limited access to psychosocial support. These conditions may increase the vulnerability of seafarers to workplace bullying, gender inequality, and mental health problems. This study aims to develop a System Dynamics model to examine the dynamic relationships among workplace bullying, gender equality, human resource management, and seafarers' mental health within sustainable maritime workplaces. The study conceptualizes human resource management as an organizational mechanism that can influence psychosocial working conditions and strengthen a supportive and inclusive maritime work environment. System Dynamics is employed to identify feedback relationships, delays, reinforcing and balancing mechanisms, and potential intervention points within the proposed system. The model integrates workplace bullying, gender equality, organizational support, working conditions, and mental health as interconnected components rather than isolated organizational issues. The simulation framework is expected to demonstrate that improvements in inclusive human resource management and gender-equitable workplace practices can reduce bullying pressures and contribute to better mental health outcomes among seafarers. Conversely, persistent bullying and gender inequality may create reinforcing negative feedback that increases psychological stress and weakens the sustainability of the maritime workplace. The study contributes to the emerging literature on occupational mental health by providing a systems perspective for understanding seafarers' health in sustainable maritime workplaces. The proposed model also provides a basis for maritime organizations, policymakers, and human resource managers to evaluate alternative interventions aimed at preventing psychosocial risks and promoting healthier, safer, and more inclusive maritime workplaces.