Introduction: Increased stress levels have been reported and it has been implicated for mental illness amongst service personnel. However no study has been reported among Indian naval sailors.
Methods: Occupational stress and life satisfaction was measured in 413 naval personnel serving afloat and ashore.
Result: Naval personnel serving on board submarine and ship had lower levels of occupational stress as compared to those serving on shore establishments. Occupational stress scores were higher among junior sailors (36.7%) as compared to officers and senior sailors (20%). Life satisfaction scores were lower in junior sailors. Greater occupational stress was linked to lower life satisfaction.
Conclusion: The findings of high occupational stress in junior sailors needs to be investigated further with a larger sample.
Keywords: Naval personnel; Occupational stress.