Workplace Environment, Gender Inclusion, and Perceived Well-Being Among Women Seafarers: An Ecological Mixed-Method Study.

Abstract

Women remain significantly underrepresented in the Merchant Marine workforce, and little empirical research has examined how gendered occupational settings influence their perceived well-being. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, this mixed-methods study explored how individual experiences, organizational culture, and policy frameworks interact to shape gender inclusion and occupational well-being among Colombian women seafarers. Seventeen officers (73.9% of the accessible population) completed a descriptive survey and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data profiled demographic and professional characteristics, while qualitative narratives revealed experiences of restricted technical duties, harassment, and limited institutional support within male-dominated environments. Despite these barriers, participants demonstrated strong agency and adaptive coping strategies that sustained professional engagement. Findings highlight that perceived well-being is shaped by micro-level personal factors, meso-level organizational dynamics, and macro-level regulatory contexts. The study contributes to Gender Equity and Occupational Health scholarship by linking individual experiences to institutional and regulatory environments and recommends gender-responsive maritime training, independent reporting mechanisms, and integrated mental-health policies to promote equitable and sustainable seafaring careers.