Improving Seafarers' Interpersonal Skills With Support Of Social Work

Seafarers are an important indicator of prosperity of the shipping industry and significant human resources for promoting development of the industry.the loss rate of seafarers is increasing.At present,brain drain of seafarers has become a non-negligible issue that hinders development of China' s shipping industry.When seafarers engaged in onboard working environment,they must adapt to the working and living environment on ships,adapt to the interpersonal relationship onboard,and master the professional knowledge and skills necessary for the work,in order to undertake their duties.Being able to adapt to new interpersonal relationship and working environment,and adjust mentality in face of pressure,is important for overcoming tension and fear of working on board.In the course of the research.During the five-month internship,the author examined the current status and the existing problems in respect of seafarers' interpersonal skills and the root causes for socializing disorder,through literature analysis and various social research methods includinginterviews and questionnaire.A total of 100 seafarers of the company were investigated.Based on results of the investigation,according to characteristics of this population,the author divided the seafarers into three groups by interpersonal skills,lack of motivation,lack ofcognition and lack of skills.Acting as a social worker,the author selected three seafarers,one from each group,and assisted them to improve interpersonal skills with intervention work and taking advantages of cognitive behavioral therapy model,social learning theory and advantage perspective theory.After professional interventional by social workers,seafarers from each group appeared to have better interpersonal capability.Furthermore,following summary and rethinking of the study,the author believed that social work has substantial effect on perfecting seafarers' interpersonal skills.Finally,recommendations were made from the perspectives of seafarers,shipping owners and shipping managers.