Differences in suicide acceptability by farming-related occupation, demographic, and religiosity factors, general social survey 2000–2022

Abstract

Introduction Suicide acceptability beliefs must be considered when evaluating interventions to prevent suicide, as such beliefs can reveal cultural sanctions associated with suicide and suicidal behaviors and thoughts. Compared to the general US population, farmers/ranchers have an elevated suicide rate, requiring culturally competent interventions. This analysis investigated whether farmers and workers in agricultural-related industries differ from the general U.S. population in suicide acceptability levels. Methods Cross-sectional General Social Survey (GSS) data were combined from years 2000 to 2022. Four yes/no items assessing whether respondents thought an individual should be able to decide to end their life amid four negative life scenarios were used to define suicide acceptability or endorsement. U.S. Census Bureau industry and occupational codes were used to delineate occupations. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, educational level, survey administration year, and religiosity level were covariates for multiple logistic regression analyses. Among 18,191 respondents to the GSS, 167 people worked in farming/ranching roles, including 74 farmers/ranch operators and 93 farm/ranch workers. Results In unadjusted models, individuals in farm-related occupations had a lower prevalence than the general US adult population of sanctioning suicide if facing an incurable disease. Yet, suicide endorsement beliefs showed no statistically significant differences between farmers/ranchers and the general population after demographic factors were included in the model. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, and education were significant predictors of suicide acceptability, p < 0.01. The prevalence of farmer/ranch operators identifying as very or moderately religious was significantly higher than that of farm/ranch workers and the general population, p < 0.05. The sample identifying as non-religious had higher odds of sanctioning suicide when faced with an incurable disease (aOR 5.980, 95%CI 5.235–6.829), bankruptcy (aOR 3.281, 95%CI 2.791–3.857), having dishonored their family (aOR 3.215, 95%CI 2.732–3.784), or becoming tired of living (aOR 3.660, 95%CI 3.209–4.175). Conclusion The present results showed that farmers’/ranchers’ acceptability of suicide was not distinct from the general US population in multivariable models. However, given their disproportionately high suicide rate, they require customized outreach and interventions. Further research may elucidate how religiosity, demographic factors, and beliefs about suicide and religion impact interventions to prevent suicide for individuals working in farming/ranching.