Psychological Aspects of Seasickness: The Role of Sailors’ Stress Appraisal and Self-Efficacy

Aim of the study Extending the biomedical model, increasing attention has been directed toward the psychological determinants of seasickness. The present study examined whether, among sailors, threat appraisal is associated with an increased frequency of seasickness symptoms and lower self-efficacy. Furthermore, the study investigated whether self-efficacy mediates the relationship between threat appraisal and symptom frequency. Subject or material and methods A total of 312 sailors (55.8% female; M age = 39.46 years, SD = 11.57; age range: 16–74) completed self-report measures of stress appraisal, domain-specific self-efficacy, and seasickness symptoms. Results Threat appraisal, lower self-efficacy, female gender, and younger age were all significantly associated with a higher frequency of seasickness symptoms. Mediation analyses indicated that the relationship between threat appraisal and symptom frequency was partially accounted for by reduced self-efficacy. Discussion These findings underscore the importance of psychological factors in the experience of seasickness. Interventions targeting maladaptive stress appraisal and enhancing self-efficacy may represent promising avenues for reducing symptom burden. Conclusions These findings underscore the importance of psychological factors in the experience of seasickness. Interventions targeting maladaptive stress appraisal and enhancing self-efficacy may represent promising avenues for reducing symptom burden.