Job resources and perceived work capability at sea: The mediator role of seafarers’ sleep quality

The maritime sector has received little attention in research on analysing working conditions and employee well-being. This study investigates the relationship between job resources (i.e. safety behaviour, social support, transformational leadership) and work self-capability among seafarers, analysing the mediating role of sleep quality. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 406 Italian seafarers employed by various companies. Structural equation models revealed that safety behaviour was directly and strongly associated with work self-capability, whereas social support and transformational leadership showed no direct effects. However, sleep quality fully mediated the relationship between social support and self-work capability. The results highlight the central role of on board safety behaviour in promoting effective for decent work performance compared to other work resources. Moreover, they underscore the importance of sleep quality as a mechanism through which social support enhances performance. This study adds to the international literature by emphasizing the critical role of an onboard safety climate in predicting positive work-related outcomes among seafarers. To enhance operational performance and promote crew well-being, shipping companies are encouraged to focus on developing a strong safety culture and fostering supportive relationships among crew members.