CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

In the Philippines, the domestic vessels became the environmental shipboard training by which
most of the Filipino cadets choose to comply with their apprenticeship. This course entails one
minimum year aboard on an actual ship for the students to test them on the concepts and
techniques they learned in schooling.

A fresh graduate student (BSMT/BSMARE) compared to a regular seafarer has different

reactions to their new workplace. In fact, during their college years, the environment they have
was not exposed to stressful activities. Adjustments to a new environment would be very
challenging. With this process, there are factors that need to be considered. This factor will
highlight regarding the stressors that they encounter as a Cadet on domestic vessels.

Stressors would vary based on the reactions from their bodies. Stressors as defined by Merriam-
Webster Dictionary, it is something that makes you feel worried or anxious.

An amateur cadet would feel meaningless to its surroundings, which leads to questioning itself
on questions such as what, how, when, where questions. This would be the reason why Cadets
encounter stressed in a new maritime environment.

To confirm the stressors that the cadet on a domestic vessel was experiencing, we conducted this
research. Besides that, it will also identify if the stressors have differences based on the
department of a particular cadet (BSMT/ BSMARE).
Theoretical Background

This research is anchored mainly on the Transactional Theory of Work-related Stress (Lazarus
1986, Lazarus and Folkman 1987). This theory suggests that stress is the direct product of a
transaction between an individual and their environment, which may tax their resources and thus
threaten their wellbeing. In this sense, any aspect of the work environment can be perceived as a
stressor by the appraising individual. This theoretical model suggests that it is the appraisal of
this transaction that offers a causal pathway that may better express the nature of the underlying
psychological and physiological mechanisms which underpin the overall process and experience
of stress.

Yet the individual appraisal of demands and capabilities can be influenced by the number of
factors, including personality, situational demands, coping skills, pervious experiences, time-
lapse, and any current stress state already experienced. A multidisciplinary review provides a
broad consensus that stressors only exert their effects through how an individual perceives and
evaluates them.

As such, the experience of workplace stress, according to the transactional theory is associated
with exposure to particular workplace scenarios, and a person's appraisal of difficulty in coping.
This experience is usually accompanied by attempts to cope with the underlying problem and by
changes in psychological functioning, behavior, and function (Aspinwall and Taylor 1997,
Guppy and Weatherstone 1997).

To recognize these external and internal elements of workplace stress, Cox (1993) outlined
another modified transactional theory. This theory represented the sources of the stressor, the
perceptions of those stressors about his/her ability to cope, the psychological and physiological
changes associated with the recognition of stress arising, including perceived ability to cope, the
consequences of dealing, and all general feedback that occurs during this process.

Yet, as with all transactional theories of work-related stress, it is the concept of appraisal that has
been criticized for being too simplistic and for not always considering an individuals' history,
future, goals, and identities (Harris, Daniels and Briner 2004).
According to Lumsden (1981), stress is not a new concept, dating back at least to the 14th-
century. However, it became significant with the work of the 17th-century scientist Robert
Hooke who used it in an engineering context. His analysis influenced early 20th century
approaches to stress, where it was perceived in mechanical terms as a load on a system whether
biological, psychological or social

According to Robbins & Judge (2008), occupational stress arises due to the demands of the
environment and different responses each individual has in facing the demands. Stress is a
condition in which individuals are exposed to opportunities, obstacles, and desires, and although
the results obtained are extremely essential, they cannot be ascertained

Armstrong & Baron (1998) said that the whole concern for the organizations is the performance
of their employees irrespective of factors, and conditions. The decent performance of employees
leads to good organizational performance, which is an indicator of their success.

Deshinger (2003) suggested that different aspects of employee job performance that are likely to
be affected by stress include Productivity, Job Satisfaction / Morale, Absenteeism, Decision-
Making Abilities, Accuracy, Creativity, Attention to Personal Appearance, Organizational Skills,
Courtesy Cooperation, Initiative, Reliability, Alertness, Perseverance, and Tardiness.

Etzion, Eden, Lapidot, Yael (1998) stated that to reveal the ameliorative impact of being away
from job stressors on burnout, they compared 81 men who were called for active reserve service
with 81 matched controls in the same company who were not called during the same period.
Each reservist and his control completed questionnaires shortly before the reservist left work for
a stint of service and immediately on his return. Analysis of variance detected a significant
decline in job stress and burnout among those who served and no change among the control
participants.

Imrab et al. (2013) found that stress is responsible for decreasing the performance of bank
employees. Ahmed & Ramzan (2013), too, found a negative correlation between pressure and
job performance, i.e., as the stress increases, the job performance goes down and vice-a-versa.

Kaufmann, Beehr, Terry (1986) highlighted that Job stressors (underutilization of skills,
quantitative workload, and job future ambiguity) and social support (tangible and emotional
support from supervisor, coworkers, and nonjob sources) were used to predict psychological and
physiological strains (job dissatisfaction, boredom, workload dissatisfaction, depression, heart
rate, and blood pressure), and organizational consequences (absenteeism and job performance)
among 102 hospital nurses (mean age 37.4 yrs).
Based on previous theory and research, social support was expected to moderate the relationship
between stressors and strains so that stressors would be less strongly related to strains in the
presence of strong social support than under conditions of less social support. Several
interactions were found, but all were in the direction opposite from predictions (i.e., social
support strengthened the positive relationship between stressors and strains). This result
contradicts most theories and models of job stress and social support.

Kreiner, Hollensbe, and Sheep (2006) described a broad set of strategies people use to manage
work-home boundaries (for example, screening incoming phone calls at home and identifying
work-related calls via caller ID).

Such strategies might prove definite in achieving the desired level of segmentation versus
integration, but enacting these strategies and constantly monitoring one's boundary level might
be exhausting in itself and might increase one's need for recovery. Thus, boundaries will be
negatively related to employee strain reactions.

Luthans (2006) defines stressors as a response to a firm situation or condition that is determined
by individual differences and psychological processes, as a consequence of the action of the
environment, situation, or event that puts too much demand on one's psychological and physical
domain.

Motowidlo, Packard, Manning, (1986), in a study found that, events identified as a cause of
stress lead to depression, which in turn, cause decrements in interpersonal and
cognitive/motivation aspect of job performance.

Peach (1991) observed that academic class & work, relationship with the opposite sex, concern
about grades, approaches about personal appearance, pressures to succeed and achieve, test-
taking, feelings about self-worth and individual respect, peer acceptance, relationship with
friends, and problems at school were major stressors.

Psychological detachment from work refers to a state of mind during a non-work time,
characterized by the absence of job-related activities and thoughts. It implies distancing oneself
from the job not only in a physical but also in a mental sense (Sonnentag & Bayer, 2005).

Rubina et al. (2008) viewed job performance as a result of three factors working together: skill,
effort, and the nature of work conditions. Skills include knowledge, abilities, and competencies
of the employees; effort is the degree of motivation the employee puts forth towards completing
the job, and the nature of work conditions is the degree of accommodation of these conditions in
facilitating the employee's performance.

Schafer (1996) observed that the most irritating daily hassles were usually school-related
stressors such as constant pressure of studying, too little time, writing term papers, taking tests,
plans, and boring instructors.

Scullen (2000) described job performance comprising of four aspects; i) general performance, ii)
human performance, iii) technical performance, and iv) administrative performance.
Shikieri& Musa (2011) also argued that, as ongoing stressors increase in teachers working
environment so as anxiety which affects their performance. Job stressors affect the general
physical health of employees, their job satisfaction and performance as well as their commitment
negatively.

Usman Ali et al. (2014) found that workload, role conflict, and insufficient, monitory reward are
the prime reasons for causing stress in employees that leads to reduced employee efficiency.

Violanti &Aron (1993) specified that sources of police stressors, job attitudes, and psychological
distress were measured and analyzed from a sample of 103 police officers. Analysis indicated
that police organizational stressors, mediated by job satisfaction and organizational goal
orientation, increased psychological distress 6.3 times more than inherent police stressors.

The indirect effect of organizational and inherent stressors appeared to nullify the distress-
reducing potential of increased job satisfaction. Results are discussed in terms of these findings
and the possible implications for further studies and intervention.

Zapf, Seifert, Schmutte, Mertini, & Holz (2001) stated that emotion work variables correlated
with organizational stressors and resources. However, hierarchical multiple regression showed a
unique contribution of emotion work variables in the prediction of burnout. Moreover, the
analysis of interaction effects of emotional dissonance and organizational and social stressors
showed that for service professionals, the coincidence of these stressors led to excessive levels of
emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.
Definition of Terms

The following are the operational definitions that will be used in this study:

Stressors. is a chemical or biological agent, environmental condition, external stimulus, or an

event that causes stress to an organism.

Apprentice. is a person who learns a job or skill by working for a fixed period for someone very
good at that job or skill.

Domestic Vessel. A vessel whose owner is resident in the country considered as one's own. The
use of the vessel for the purpose of chartering the vessel. These are vessels that travel or ship
within the borders of the country.

Statement of the problem

This study aims to determine on the stressors of Apprentice in Domestic Vessel. This would also
serve as a warning from people who are stress and will give an idea of what are the solutions to
prevent it.

The following questions are related to the study which seeks an answer from the problem:

What are the stressors of apprentice-cadet in the domestic vessel?

Based on the findings, what action plan can be proposed?

Significance of the Study

This study will focus on the stressors that a cadet on domestic vessels experienced on board.

Apprentices. This study is beneficial to apprentices in the maritime industry. As stated in the
study, this aims to help apprentices to cope up with stressors that are causing them to have a hard
time dealing with their problems.

Future Seafarers. For the upcoming batches of seafarers to come, this study will help them
overcome and cope up with the stressors that are bothering them. Also for them to avoid and
manage their problems.

Domestic Vessels. This study is to help the apprentices overcome their stressors, which can help
them to perform well on board vessels. Therefore, it is beneficiary for the domestic vessel
owners throughout the maritime industry.

Research Design

In this study, the descriptive method of research will be used. The flow is shown in Figure 1.
Input Process Output

Descriptive Method

Gathering of data

Tabulation of data

Analysis of data

Interpretation of data data

Findings

conclusion

Proposed Action Plan

Stressors of Apprentice in domestic vessels

Figure 1.

Research Flow of the Study

Research Respondents

The respondents of the study will be the 20 Engine Cadets and 20 Deck Cadets, a total of 40
cadets, working with their apprenticeship on domestic vessels. This study will make use of the
quota sampling in which the selection of the respondent is based on the convenience of the
researchers. The anonymity of the respondent is maintained in conducting the data collection.

Respondents

Male

Cadets

40

E/C Engine Cadet

20

D/C Deck Cadet

20

Research Instruments

The researchers have prepared a set of researcher-made questionnaire to gather the needed data,
wherein the respondents will thoroughly examine if they are perfectly fit to be involved in the
study. Since the study intends to determine the stressors of apprentice on a domestic vessel, the
selection process of question conforms with the relevance of their experiences of the study.

Research Procedures

Data-Gathering Procedures. Upon the approval of the Domestic Shipping Manager, the
researchers will distribute the questionnaires to the respondents using population samples. The
questionnaires will be given on a specific date school year, 2019-2020. Subsequently, the
problems are going to be identified; then, surveys related to stress will be conducted. Finally, the
data will be collected, tabulated, poll statistically interpreted.

Statistical Treatment

These are the analytical tools that will be used to interpret the data quantitatively and to
minimize biases.

Frequency Counts and Simple Percentage is used to determine the profile of the respondents.

Research Environment

The study will be conducted anywhere in the Province of Cebu, as long as the particular
company of the domestic vessel meets the need for the research. To specify, the target of our
study would be the nearby cadets on ports.