The Quality of Life of Fishermen in Mumbai, India: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Fishery is an important sector in most of the developed and developing countries of the world

from the generation. The present study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the quality of life (QOL) of fishermen and identify factors that impact their QOL. The study presents study on the quality of life (QOL) among fishermen in the coastal regions of Mumbai, India. The study adopts a mixed-method design, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire was used to measure QOL in four domains: psychological, social, environmental, and physical. The findings revealed that fishermen reported relatively higher QOL in the physical health and social relationships domains, reflecting the physically demanding nature of their work and strong community bonds. However, the psychological and environmental domains showed lower QOL scores, indicating challenges related to stress, financial instability, pollution, and climate change. Even though fishing as an occupation has much importance, the conditions faced by fishermen often go unnoticed. The findings of the research study provide valuable insights into the factors that contribute to the QOL of fishermen. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving the QOL of fishermen must address these challenges and focus on improving physical and mental health, social support, and environmental sustainability.