Shipboard habitability in the U.S. Navy

Abstract

Studies of sailor quality of life (QOL) reveal that shipboard life is one among several work and non-work factors that help explain retention plans and behavior (Schwerin, Kline, Olmsted, & Wilcove, 2006; Wilcove, Schwerin, & Wolosin, 2003). The study of factors affecting satisfaction with shipboard life lacks serious exploration, with most of the research on shipboard habitability being conducted 25 years ago. In the present study, data from the 2002 Navy QOL Survey were analyzed to reveal the facets of shipboard habitability viewed as most and least satisfying, to create habitability subscales, and to apply those subscales in a multiple regression to better understand satisfaction with shipboard life. Results are related to the larger discipline of environmental psychology (Gifford, 2002). Implications of study findings on policy and research, study limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed.