Stress, anxiety, depression, and resilience in Canadian farmers

Andria Jones-Bitton,Jennifer Mactavish,Sandra Hoy,Colleen Best,Stephen Fleming

doi:10.1007/s00127-019-01738-2

Abstract

PurposeTo estimate the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and resilience amongst Canadian farmers.MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey using validated psychometric scales [Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale] conducted with farmers in Canada between September 2015 and February 2016.Results1132 farmers participated in the study. The average PSS score was 18.9. Approximately 57% and 33% of participants were classified as possible and probable cases for anxiety, respectively; the respective proportions for depression were 34% and 15%. The average resilience score was 71.1. Scores for stress, anxiety, and depression were higher, and resilience lower, than reported normative data. Females scored less favorably on all mental health outcomes studied, highlighting important gender disparities.ConclusionsThese results highlight a significant public health concern amongst farmers, and illustrate a critical need for research and interventions related to farmer mental health. These findings are important for policymakers, physicians, and public and mental health service providers, and can help to inform decision-making, policy recommendations, resource allocation, and development and delivery of training programs for farmers.

Highlights

The occupational hazards associated with farming are well recognized and can have impacts on physical health [1], and mental health
Of participants responding to the open-ended question on gender (n = 977): 69.4% identified as male, 30.4% identified as female, and 0.2% identified as gender-queer
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first published study to quantify resilience in farmers and the first to investigate farmer mental health in Canada using validated psychometric tools. These results shed light on mental health issues affecting the agricultural community in Canada, which is concerning given the importance of agriculture

Summary

Introduction

The occupational hazards associated with farming are well recognized and can have impacts on physical health [1], and mental health. Estimates of mental health outcomes in Canadian farmers are lacking. Given the important role farmers play in Canadian economy and international trade [11], and the global need for increased and sustainable agriculture to meet the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050 [12], this represents a serious gap in knowledge. Resilience is the ability to “thrive in the face of adversity” and is a learned process that can help to protect against occupational stresses and mental illness [13; p. Very little research has been conducted on resilience in farmers, representing another important area for investigation

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