Social Isolation at Sea MSSM, Nyborg: 25 August 2017 Olivia Swift

Social isolation vs. loneliness Social isolation: ‘an objective state determined by the quantity of social relationships and contacts between individuals.’ Loneliness: ‘a subjective state based on a person’s emotional perception of the number and/or quality of social connections they need compared to what is currently being experienced.’

Causes of increased social isolation at sea Smaller, multinational crews Increased working hours, responsibilities and paperwork Insufficient spaces/opportunities/desire for communal eating and recreation; restrictive alcohol policies Fewer shared cabins; reduced shore leave

The risks Specifically: socially isolated people are: ‘Weak social connections carry a health risk that is more harmful than not exercising, twice as harmful as obesity, and is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic.' Specifically: socially isolated people are: 3.4x more likely to suffer depression 1.9x more likely to develop dementia in the following 15 years 2-3x more likely to be physically inactive, which may result in a 7% increased likelihood of developing diabetes, an 8% increased likelihood of suffering stroke and a 14% likelihood of developing coronary heart disease. Loneliness at work lessens effectiveness and affects team dynamics. It is a social phenomenon and organisational (rather than individual) problem. Photo: Bryan Davidson http://bit.ly/2vXgUYp

What can be done to lessen social isolation? Reducing social isolation Maintain/ improve existing social ties Psychological approaches Create new social ties

Improving and increasing social ties Quality recreation spaces/facilities/opportunities News & media provision Restrictions > bans on alcohol Shore leave Spouse/partner voyages Connectivity… potential for digital to improve social cohesion onboard… See ‘social isolation’ article on ISWAN website for more… See ISWAN’s ‘Social Isolation’ article on its website for more.

Questions? Olivia.Swift@rhul.ac.uk Thank you Questions? Olivia.Swift@rhul.ac.uk