Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific

Kamaya-point, Barangay Alas-asin

Mariveles, Bataan

Depression amongst Midshipmen due to COVID 19

A research presented to

MRS. Edlynne Fabian Perona

BY

3CL Mosquera Jeorge Jr C

3CL Lampedario Kerr Eric

3CL Daniel Clyde Jeremy J

3CL Aliperio, Reil Anthony C.

APRIL 2021
I. INTRODUCTION

According to the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP)

Guidance counseling office, in the school year 2019-2020, the number of cadets
experiencing depression had increased when the COVID 19 paved its way in the
country. Depression has many classifications; this includes disruptive mood
dysregulation disorder, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and
other specified and unspecified depressive disorder. The occurrence of a sad, empty,
or irritable mood, followed by somatic and cognitive changes that greatly affect the
individual's ability to work, is a common characteristic of all of these disorders. What
differs among them are the issues of duration, timing, or presumed etiology. The
latter usually results from a combination of the biopsychosocial factors that affect a
person's day-to-day activity.

Everyone is vulnerable to depression, especially those who are predisposed to

something that could probably trigger one's mental well-being in this context,
midshipmen are no exception. Deprived of the outside world and being away from
one's family could significantly affect the psychological state of being a cadet. Being
trained to adapt to a seafarer’s lifestyle, in a considerable way, cadets are subjected to
a period of social isolation from outside the academy. Commonly, this calls for a
desire to compensate for the isolation and reconnect or communicate. However, even
such, comes in a few opportunities.

Fortunately, MAAP, the midshipman fleet, and the MAAP Guidance

counseling staff are looking for ways to minimize the number of depressed cadets and
lessen the feeling of stress. At present, there are a series of interventions offered to
the clients, such as implementing activities and seminars that helps to somehow
alleviate the feeling of anxiety and stress. Moreover, these interventions will help
them prepare for their future endeavors, for in later time, the cadets will take off on a
journey to become a certified seafarer. This paper aims to cite the primary factors that
contribute to depression in MAAP midshipmen.
 II. BODY
A. Review of related literature

It has been known that depression was already present for a very long time, the
earliest written accounts of what is now known as depression appeared in the second
millennium B.C.E. in Mesopotamia. In these writings, depression was discussed as a
spiritual rather than a physical condition. It was thought to be caused by demonic
possession, much like other mental disorders. As such, it was dealt with by priests rather
than physicians. According to American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Fifth edition 2013, Depression (major
depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how
you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression
causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can
trigger a slew of emotional and physical issues, as well as a reduction in your ability to
function at work and at home. There are certain Factors that are related to Depression
such as anxiety disorders and fear. Anxiety is a normal emotion marked by heightened
alertness, vegetative autonomous and behavioral responses, as well as subjective stimuli,
all of which are necessary for survival. Consequently, overexposure to a negative stimuli
can lead to depression and anxiety in the long run; likewise fear is a natural, powerful,
and primitive human emotion. It requires both a universal biochemical reaction and a
strong individual emotional response. Fear warns us that there is a danger or a possibility
of harm, whether it is physical or psychological.

One of the common factors that affects cadets in the academy is usually
homesickness. Homesickness is a well-known phenomenon for most people. Fisher
(1989) found considerable consensus on key features, such as preoccupation with family,
friends, home and routines. From the lenses of the belongingness theory (Baumeister &
Leary, 1995) one may presume that as a student becomes more familiar with their new
college surroundings, and begins to build new meaningful attachments, the student is
likely to experience a sense of belonging in their new environment, and feelings of
homesickness would lessen accordingly.

Res (2015), A cross-sectional study of depression of military medical cadets

shows a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in a cohort of military medicine cadets
that underscores the need for effective screening and appropriate and timely
interventions. We did not identify any related risk factors. Military medicine cadets are
subject to a demanding military and medical training environment, and as a result, they
are at risk for depression.

Without a doubt, the military environment has distinct characteristics: strict

discipline, rigid organizational structure, strenuous physical training, strict regulations,
separation from family, and long periods of isolation from the familiar civilian setting.
These stressors play an important role in the development of depressive symptoms. The
pathophysiological mechanism behind this link is complex; one theory speculates that
following a stressor, there is a dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,
resulting in the hypersecretion of adrenal steroids, which contributes to neuron loss in the
hippocampus, a brain region involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Due to the
hierarchical structure and their strict rules cadets experience depression through the
hardship because of their upperclassmen.

In a similar study according to Myers, PhD MILITARY MEDICINE, 169, 6:475,

2004 Stress, Wellness, and Mattering among Cadets at West Point: Factors Affecting a
Fit and Healthy Force. In this study they found disparities in health, perceived tension,
and mattering between cadets and their civilian peers, as well as within the cadet
community. A few segments, for example, lower work health for cadets, and sex and age
contrasts in wellbeing parts, can be changed through custom fitted activities, for example,
target intercessions and projects. Consideration regarding all encompassing prosperity
factors for military students, as surveyed and interceded consistently, might be a
compelling methods for tending to the military's wellbeing advancement and health
objectives. All encompassing health models, for example, the Wheel of Wellbeing or the
Indissoluble Self Wellbeing model, and appraisals dependent on those models, are a
significant methods for giving strength-based mediations. Further investigation of explicit
health parts love could be sought after utilizing arising models, for example, those being
given by the positive brain research development, through which extra attributes of
hopeful people are being recognized. In their study it shows that the difference in their
culture in an academy and a non-academy ways have big difference when it comes to the
effect to the mental health of the student in the non-academy student they experience
stress through their academics only and in the medical academy school they experience
more stress that contribute to their mental problem like depression because of the
upperclassmen more responsibility given to them by the rules given in the medical
academy school

B. Methodology

The aim of this study is to cite the factors that influence MAAP midshipmen to
experience depression. Additionally, the study aims to raise the awareness of depression
amongst midshipmen and their struggles inside the academy. The cadets in charge of the
study conducted quantitative research; Quantitative research is a type of study which
utilizes numerical data for analysis. It may use simple descriptive data such as
percentages or frequencies, or may use inferential data analysis with the help of different
statistical tools. It allows you to test or confirm theories or assumptions by analyzing
numerical data through descriptive and inferential means.

Generally, the method of data collection will be through a survey form checklist
prepared by the midshipmen in charge. Obtained responses were tallied and analyzed.
The total population were one hundred sixty (160) 3 rd class midshipman cadets of
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific. Forty (40) midshipman cadets each from
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta company were chosen randomly to obtain the set
number of participants.
C. Results

The data that has been gathered through the survey by means of the perspective of
each participant shows that most of the depression experienced inside the academy are
from homesickness, problems/peer pressure from upperclassmen, and academics.

Homesickness Peer/Upperclassmen Academics

Pressure and Problems

Alpha Company 30 (75%) 9 (22.5%) 1 (2.5%)

Bravo Company 36 (90%) 3 (7.5%) 1 (2.5%)

Charlie Company 32 (80%) 6 (5%) 2 (5%)

Delta Company 33 (82.5%) 6 (5%) 1 (2.5%)

Total 131 (81.875%) 24 (15%) 5 (3.125%)

The table above shows the responses of cadets on which of the factors contribute
to the depression of cadets. Out of the responses from each company, 75% from the
Alpha company, 90% from Bravo company, 80% from Charlie company, and 82.5%
from Delta company chose homesickness as the primary factor contributing to
depression. It is followed by pressure from peers and upperclassmen in the academy with
22.5% of the responses from Alpha company, 7.5% from Bravo company, and 5% each
from Charlie and Delta company. Least among the presented factors is academics with
2.5% of the responses from Alpha, Bravo and Delta company and 5% of the responses
from Charlie company.
 Consistently, homesickness is the primary factor seen by the participants from the
four companies to mainly influence the chances of experiencing depression with 81.87%
of the overall responses. 15% of the overall responses implies pressure from peers and
upperclassmen as the next, and 3.13% of the responses indicates academics as the factor
which least contributes to depression experienced by cadets.

III. CONCLUSION
Based on the findings, the following conclusions are drawn:
1. Homesickness has the largest frequency among the factors presented. It is
thereby considered the main factor that influences cadets to experience
depression. Being away from home for almost a year or so gives them a
sense of isolation and emptiness more than the other factors.
2. Pressure from peers and upperclassmen follows as another factor to
experience depression.
3. Academics is least likely considered by the midshipman cadets to
contribute to depression.

III. RECOMMENDATIONS

On the basis of the findings and conclusions drawn, the following are hereby

recommended by the researchers to improve the levels of depression experienced by

the midshipman cadets:

1. TIME MANAGEMENT- One must be aware of the time, a cadet must

finish his/her requirement/ task before the given time to maximize the

time for rest and to have time to communicate with their loved ones.

2. CLASS/ COMPANY DISCUSSION- Every now and then, company

marchers of each class should gather their men and discuss the problems

that each of his company mates have.

3. RECREATIONAL/FLEET ACTIVITIES- To have a better

understanding with the upperclassmen, activities such as open forum or

sports should be made. This will also make a connection and

understanding of the upper class men.

4. GROUP STUDY- During study call, a cadet can ask for assistance from

another cadet with better comprehension to have a clearer understanding

in the academics. A cadet may also ask assistance from the academic