<![CDATA[Globalization and evolving hybrid threats have transformed maritime security by extending strategic competition beyond physical domains into contested information environments that influence public perception, institutional trust, and societal cohesion. This study aimed to examine how maritime psychological operations can strengthen national resilience by reducing information vulnerability and enhancing credible strategic communication, public trust, and community preparedness. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design integrated quantitative surveys, semi-structured expert interviews, document analysis, and methodological triangulation to investigate relationships among hybrid maritime threats, information vulnerability, strategic communication, institutional credibility, societal cohesion, and national resilience. The findings revealed that perceived hybrid maritime threats increased information and perception vulnerability, while credible, timely, transparent, and evidence-based communication strengthened institutional credibility and public trust. Information literacy, community preparedness, and coordinated institutional responses reduced vulnerability to contested narratives and supported societal cohesion. Institutional credibility emerged as a central mechanism linking strategic communication with national resilience. The study concludes that effective maritime psychological operations should prioritize resilience rather than perception control. Sustainable maritime security requires information integrity, credible institutions, informed citizens, coordinated communication, and resilient communities capable of maintaining critical judgment and collective adaptability under conditions of uncertainty, globalization, geopolitical competition, and increasingly complex hybrid threats across contemporary maritime security environments worldwide.]]>
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