Abstract

For Myanmar seafarers on ocean-going vessels, work-life balance is a critical concern shaped by prolonged separation from family, confined living and working spaces, intensive watchkeeping, and dependence on company support for rest, communication, and welfare. This study examined determinants of work-life balance among 154 Myanmar seafarers, focusing on contract duration, shore leave, stress relief, communication, and rest hours, using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. Reliability, descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were used. All scales showed strong internal consistency, and mean scores indicated generally favorable perceptions of working conditions. Correlation analysis found significant positive associations between all predictors and work-life balance, with communication and stress relief showing the strongest links. Regression results identified communication, shore leave, rest hours, and stress relief as significant predictors, explaining 74.2% of the variance in work-life balance, while contract duration was not significant. The findings highlight the need for stronger connectivity, shore leave, and rest-hour protections for seafarers.