Family Status and Health Maintenance of Expeditionary-Shift Workers in the Arctic
Research Article
How to Cite
Akimov A.M. (2026) Family Status and Health Maintenance of Expeditionary-Shift Workers in the Arctic. Zhurnal sotsiologii i sotsialnoy antropologii (The Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology), 29(1): 40–61 (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.31119/jssa.2026.29.1.2 EDN: AIHSXR
Abstract
The paper presents the results of a medical and sociological study aimed at preserving the health of workers employed on expeditionary shifts in the oil and gas production complex of the Arctic region of the Russian Federation. Without taking into account the value characteristics of attitudes towards health and the social status of “shift workers”, part of which is family status, the implementation of social regulation of life activity among men engaged in expeditionary rotational work does not seem possible. This determines the relevance of this work as a scientific basis for the formation of effective social and managerial mechanisms in the Arctic. The purpose of the study was to determine age and time trends in marital status and some parameters of responsibility for health among men of economically active age, their associations depending on the length of time they worked as expeditionary rotation workers in the Arctic. The study was conducted on two representative samples formed at industrial enterprises of the oil and gas production complex in the time range of 35 years, among men 25–54 years old, employed on expeditionary shifts in the Arctic region of the Russian Federation. Among males aged 25–54 years engaged in expeditionary and shift work in the Arctic region, 35-year trends have been identified in the age range towards an increase in the proportion of single men in each of the three decades of life 25–34, 35–44, 45–54 years and a more than twofold decrease in the proportion of registered marriages. According to the sociological study of 1987–1988 (GDU), with increasing age, a natural increase in the proportion of men in marriage has been established. According to the 2022–2023 sociological study (EURACOR), in the third decade of life, compared to older age categories, an increase in the proportion of married men is determined, as well as an increase in the proportion of single men, both previously married and unmarried. At industrial enterprises in the Arctic, 35-year trends have been established towards an increase in the proportion of single men in extreme positions — with less than three and more than ten years of work experience, towards a decrease in the proportion of registered marriages regardless of the length of service in expeditionary and shift work. With more than three years of work experience in expeditionary shift work in Arctic conditions, men with a life partner are determined to have the greatest care and responsibility for their health.
Keywords:
men, economically active age, expeditionary rotational work, marital status, responsibility for health, Arctic
References
Akimov A.M. (2013) Family stress and social support in an open male population. Istoricheskaya i obshchestvenno-pedagogicheskaya mysl' [Historical and socio-educational thought], 6: 103–105 (in Russian).
Akimov A.M. (2023) About some social characteristics of chronic stress of shift workers in the Arctic conditions. Sotsiologicheskiye issledovaniya[Sociological research], 5: 154–159. https://doi.org/10.31857/S013216250022670-0 (in Russian).
Akimov A.M., Gakova E.I., Kayumova M.M., Bessonova M.I., Lebedev E.V., Novoselov A.V., Akimova E.V., Gafarov V.V. (2024) Tobacco smoking and its associations with the health attitude in men of 25–54 years working on an expeditionary-rotational basis in the Western Siberia Arctic region. Profilakticheskaya meditsina [Russian Journal of Preventive Medicine], 27(4): 32–37. https://doi.org/10.17116/profmed20242704132 (in Russian).
Akimova E.V., Kayumova M.M., Smaznova O.V., Akimov A.M., Gafarov V.V., Smaznov V.Yu., Kuznetsov V.A. (2012) Psychosocial component of health in the Tyumen male population aged 25–64 years. Mir nauki, kul'tury, obrazovaniya [The world of science, culture, education], 2012;1(32): 257–260 (in Russian).
Belonozhko M.L., Belonozhko L.N., Barbakov O.M., Ishkina E.G. (2022) The role of social health of the population in the development of the Arctic. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Sotsiologiya. Ekonomika. Politika [Proceedings from Higher Educational Institutions. Sociology. Economics. Politics], 4: 9–24. https://doi.org/10.31660/1993-1824-2022-4-9--24 (in Russian).
Gafarov V.V., Akimova E.V., Trubacheva I.A., Gagulin I.V., Kaveshnikov V.S., Kayumova M.M., Gakova E.I., Akimov A.M., Novoselov A.V., Gafarova A.V., Gromova E.A. (2024) The contribution of psychosocial factors to survival, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases among people 25–64 years old in Siberia (Novosibirsk, Tyumen, Tomsk): results of cross-sectional and cohort studies 1981–2020. Ateroskleroz, 20(4): 397–412. https://doi.org/10.52727/2078-256X-2024-20-4-397-412 (in Russian).
Kaznacheyev V.P. (1986) Clinical aspects of polar medicine. Moscow: Meditsina (in Russian).
Kayumova M.M., Bessonova M.I., Gafarov V.V., Gakova E.I., Akimov A.M., Lebedev E.V., Novoselov A.V., Petelina T.I., Akimova E.V. (2023) Associations of depression with parameters of attitude towards medical care in an open urban population, gender aspect. Vrach [Doctor], 34(8): 48–53. https://doi.org/10.29296/25877305-2023-08-09 (in Russian).
Kayumova M.M., Akimov A.M., Bessonova M.I., Gafarov V.V., Lebedev E.V., Gakova A.A., Akimova E.V. (2023) Associations of stress in family, parameters of health attitude and self-rating in expeditionary rotation schedule workers of the Arctic region. Profilakticheskaya meditsina [The Russian Journal of Preventive Medicine], 10: 49–54. https://doi.org/10.17116/profmed20232610149 (in Russian).
Krivoshchekov S.G., Okhotnikov S.V. (2000) Proizvodstvennaya migratsiya i zdorov'ye cheloveka na Severe [Industrial migration and human health in the North]. Moscow; Novosibirsk: SO RAMN (in Russian).
Kurbatova L.N., Stegniy V.N., Tarasova E.O. (2024) Institutionalization of gender-sexual and reproductive-matrimonial culture as a reflection of the transformation of family and marriage. Zhurnal sotsiologii i sotsialnoy antropologii [The Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology], 27(3): 65–105. https://doi.org/10.31119/jssa.2024.27.3.3 (in Russian).
Markin V.V., Silin A.N. (2021) Human capital of the regions of the Russian Arctic: sociological essays. Moscow: Vologodskiy nauchnyy tsentr RAN (in Russian).
Saxinger G., Efner E., Shakirova E., Ivanova M., Yakovlev M., Gareev E. (2014) “I'm ready!”: the next generation of mobile professionals in the Russian oil and gas industry. Sibirskie istoricheskie issledovaniya [Siberian historical research], 3: 73–103 (in Russian).
Serkin V.P. (2012) Specifics of family functions in conditions of husband`s seasonal or rotating work. Vestnik nauchnykh trudov KRASETSA. Seriya “Gumanitarnyye nauki” [Bulletin of the KRASEC. Series “Humanities”], 2(20): 146–154 (in Russian).
Silin A.N. (2016) Social problems of the Arctic region. Tyumen: TIU (in Russian).
Silin A.N. (2021) Shift work in the Arctic: socio-spatial discourse. Tambov: Yukom (in Russian).
Sinelnikov A.B. (2018) Family and marriage: crisis or modernization. Sotsiologicheskiy zhurnal [Journal of Sociology], 24(1): 95–113 (in Russian).
Smaznov V.Yu., Kayumova M.M., Akimova E.V., Bessonova М.I., Kayumov R.Ch., Zagorodnich Е.Yu., Gafarov V.V., Kuznetsov V.A. (2011) Awareness, attitude towards one's health and prevention in the male Siberian population. Profilakticheskaya meditsina [The Russian Journal of Preventive Medicine], 4: 24–27 (in Russian).
Khasnulin V.I. (1998) Introduction to polar medicine. Novosibirsk: SO RAMN (in Russian).
August K.J., Sorkin D.H. (2010) Marital status and gender differences in managing a chronic illness: the function of health-related social control. Soc. Sci. Med., 46: 1303–1312.
Heinemann L. (1998) The Risk Factor Concept in Cardiovascular Disease. In: Stellman J.M. (eds.) Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety. International Labour Office: 34–39.
Tanaka A., Shipley M.J., Welch C.A., Groce N.E., Marmot M.G., Kivimaki M., Sing-Monoux A., Brunner E.J. (2018) Socioeconomic inequality in recovery from poor physical and mental health in mid-life and early old age: prospective Whitehall II cohort study. J Epidemiol Community Health, 72(I.4): 309–313.
Wilkinson R., Marmot M. (2003) Social determinants of health: the solid facts. Denmark: WHO.
Akimov A.M. (2023) About some social characteristics of chronic stress of shift workers in the Arctic conditions. Sotsiologicheskiye issledovaniya[Sociological research], 5: 154–159. https://doi.org/10.31857/S013216250022670-0 (in Russian).
Akimov A.M., Gakova E.I., Kayumova M.M., Bessonova M.I., Lebedev E.V., Novoselov A.V., Akimova E.V., Gafarov V.V. (2024) Tobacco smoking and its associations with the health attitude in men of 25–54 years working on an expeditionary-rotational basis in the Western Siberia Arctic region. Profilakticheskaya meditsina [Russian Journal of Preventive Medicine], 27(4): 32–37. https://doi.org/10.17116/profmed20242704132 (in Russian).
Akimova E.V., Kayumova M.M., Smaznova O.V., Akimov A.M., Gafarov V.V., Smaznov V.Yu., Kuznetsov V.A. (2012) Psychosocial component of health in the Tyumen male population aged 25–64 years. Mir nauki, kul'tury, obrazovaniya [The world of science, culture, education], 2012;1(32): 257–260 (in Russian).
Belonozhko M.L., Belonozhko L.N., Barbakov O.M., Ishkina E.G. (2022) The role of social health of the population in the development of the Arctic. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Sotsiologiya. Ekonomika. Politika [Proceedings from Higher Educational Institutions. Sociology. Economics. Politics], 4: 9–24. https://doi.org/10.31660/1993-1824-2022-4-9--24 (in Russian).
Gafarov V.V., Akimova E.V., Trubacheva I.A., Gagulin I.V., Kaveshnikov V.S., Kayumova M.M., Gakova E.I., Akimov A.M., Novoselov A.V., Gafarova A.V., Gromova E.A. (2024) The contribution of psychosocial factors to survival, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases among people 25–64 years old in Siberia (Novosibirsk, Tyumen, Tomsk): results of cross-sectional and cohort studies 1981–2020. Ateroskleroz, 20(4): 397–412. https://doi.org/10.52727/2078-256X-2024-20-4-397-412 (in Russian).
Kaznacheyev V.P. (1986) Clinical aspects of polar medicine. Moscow: Meditsina (in Russian).
Kayumova M.M., Bessonova M.I., Gafarov V.V., Gakova E.I., Akimov A.M., Lebedev E.V., Novoselov A.V., Petelina T.I., Akimova E.V. (2023) Associations of depression with parameters of attitude towards medical care in an open urban population, gender aspect. Vrach [Doctor], 34(8): 48–53. https://doi.org/10.29296/25877305-2023-08-09 (in Russian).
Kayumova M.M., Akimov A.M., Bessonova M.I., Gafarov V.V., Lebedev E.V., Gakova A.A., Akimova E.V. (2023) Associations of stress in family, parameters of health attitude and self-rating in expeditionary rotation schedule workers of the Arctic region. Profilakticheskaya meditsina [The Russian Journal of Preventive Medicine], 10: 49–54. https://doi.org/10.17116/profmed20232610149 (in Russian).
Krivoshchekov S.G., Okhotnikov S.V. (2000) Proizvodstvennaya migratsiya i zdorov'ye cheloveka na Severe [Industrial migration and human health in the North]. Moscow; Novosibirsk: SO RAMN (in Russian).
Kurbatova L.N., Stegniy V.N., Tarasova E.O. (2024) Institutionalization of gender-sexual and reproductive-matrimonial culture as a reflection of the transformation of family and marriage. Zhurnal sotsiologii i sotsialnoy antropologii [The Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology], 27(3): 65–105. https://doi.org/10.31119/jssa.2024.27.3.3 (in Russian).
Markin V.V., Silin A.N. (2021) Human capital of the regions of the Russian Arctic: sociological essays. Moscow: Vologodskiy nauchnyy tsentr RAN (in Russian).
Saxinger G., Efner E., Shakirova E., Ivanova M., Yakovlev M., Gareev E. (2014) “I'm ready!”: the next generation of mobile professionals in the Russian oil and gas industry. Sibirskie istoricheskie issledovaniya [Siberian historical research], 3: 73–103 (in Russian).
Serkin V.P. (2012) Specifics of family functions in conditions of husband`s seasonal or rotating work. Vestnik nauchnykh trudov KRASETSA. Seriya “Gumanitarnyye nauki” [Bulletin of the KRASEC. Series “Humanities”], 2(20): 146–154 (in Russian).
Silin A.N. (2016) Social problems of the Arctic region. Tyumen: TIU (in Russian).
Silin A.N. (2021) Shift work in the Arctic: socio-spatial discourse. Tambov: Yukom (in Russian).
Sinelnikov A.B. (2018) Family and marriage: crisis or modernization. Sotsiologicheskiy zhurnal [Journal of Sociology], 24(1): 95–113 (in Russian).
Smaznov V.Yu., Kayumova M.M., Akimova E.V., Bessonova М.I., Kayumov R.Ch., Zagorodnich Е.Yu., Gafarov V.V., Kuznetsov V.A. (2011) Awareness, attitude towards one's health and prevention in the male Siberian population. Profilakticheskaya meditsina [The Russian Journal of Preventive Medicine], 4: 24–27 (in Russian).
Khasnulin V.I. (1998) Introduction to polar medicine. Novosibirsk: SO RAMN (in Russian).
August K.J., Sorkin D.H. (2010) Marital status and gender differences in managing a chronic illness: the function of health-related social control. Soc. Sci. Med., 46: 1303–1312.
Heinemann L. (1998) The Risk Factor Concept in Cardiovascular Disease. In: Stellman J.M. (eds.) Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety. International Labour Office: 34–39.
Tanaka A., Shipley M.J., Welch C.A., Groce N.E., Marmot M.G., Kivimaki M., Sing-Monoux A., Brunner E.J. (2018) Socioeconomic inequality in recovery from poor physical and mental health in mid-life and early old age: prospective Whitehall II cohort study. J Epidemiol Community Health, 72(I.4): 309–313.
Wilkinson R., Marmot M. (2003) Social determinants of health: the solid facts. Denmark: WHO.
Article
Received: 13.01.2025
Accepted: 27.03.2026
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Other cite formats:
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[1]
Akimov, A.M. 2026. Family Status and Health Maintenance of Expeditionary-Shift Workers in the Arctic. Zhurnal sotsiologii i sotsialnoy antropologii (The Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology). 29, 1 (Mar. 2026), 40–61. DOI:https://doi.org/10.31119/jssa.2026.29.1.2.
Section
Sociology of Labour
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