Stress and distress among Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishermen

Previous research documents that shrimp fishing is physically and mentally challenging work. Workers typically encounter intense exposure to such stre ssors as work overload, concerns about safety, dangerous weather conditions , and separation from family. In addition, recent regulatory changes and in creased competition from imported shrimp have intensified the difficulties U.S. shrimpers face. From Fall 1993 through Fall 1994, data were collected from 577 shrimp boat captains working in the Gulf of Mexico. Face to face i nterviews were conducted at ports from all Gulf states, from Key West, FL t o Brownsville,TX. The sampling design was a quota sample allocated by size of port landings of shrimp during the three years preceding data collection . The dependent variable in this analysis is the presence (or absence) of a diagnosable disorder as measured by the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) The multivariate analysis revealed that occupational s tressor variables (overload and co-worker conflict), intrinsic job dissatis faction and mastery predicted the diagnosis of a disorder.