Silent Barriers to Emotional Expression Among Filipino Male Seafarers: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Filipino male seafarers comprise a significant segment of the global maritime workforce and operate in occupational environments characterized by prolonged isolation, strict hierarchical structures, and demanding work conditions. Despite documented risks of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and psychosocial strain among seafarers, emotional disclosure and professional help-seeking remain limited. This study explored the silent barriers to emotional expression among Filipino male seafarers assigned to cargo vessels. Using a qualitative design grounded in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten Filipino male seafarers aged 22 to 40 who had experienced psychological distress during deployment and had completed recovery prior to participation. Analysis revealed four superordinate themes: enduring the pressures of maritime life, bearing the weight of home, sustaining oneself amid strain, and shielding the vulnerable self. Findings indicate that emotional silence is shaped not only by individual coping patterns but also by hegemonic masculinity norms, rigid shipboard hierarchies, mental health stigma, employment insecurity, and cultural expectations of endurance and self-sacrifice. Participants described both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies, including faith-based coping, peer support, routine-building, withdrawal, and emotional suppression. The study reframes emotional silence as a phenomenon shaped by cultural, occupational, and structural influences rather than individual weakness. These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive interventions, organizational reforms, and culturally responsive psychosocial support programs within the maritime industry.