A Work Environment Under Pressure: Psychosocial Job Demands and Resources Among Saturation Divers.

Saturation divers work and live under high physiological and social demands for weeks on end. Even though physiological research has contributed insights to the work conditions of saturation divers, research on the qualities of the divers' psychosocial work environment is lacking. This study aimed to explore which job demands and resources are viewed as characteristic among saturation divers working within an isolated and confined environment. Based on data from 6 in-depth semi-structured interviews, template analysis was applied to map unique characteristics. By using the theoretical framework of the job demands-resources model, we found that the work environment in saturation diving was characterized by shifting demands and big contrasts, requiring adaptability in each individual diver. One major demand described by the informants was , somewhat due to the changes in the oil and gas industry. Another important demand was the when committing to work for extended periods in isolated environments. The that characterizes the work environment is a challenge that must be managed. , and provide external motivation, while personal resources such as , and , may benefit the divers' mental health. This is also affected by the -with features such as being , having and having in one another.