Abstract
This cross-sectional study compares the mental health experiences of male and female farmers, with a particular focus on stress levels, stressors, and coping mechanisms. The research aims to shed light on gender-based differences in stress experiences and coping strategies among agricultural workers. The study involved 1,394 farmers (67.7% male, 32.3% female) from Georgia, USA, who completed an online survey on aspects of mental well-being.
Findings indicate that female farmers were more likely to hold farm manager roles and less likely to be farm owners. Notably, a higher proportion of female farmers were first-generation farmers, indicating potential unique challenges for this subgroup. Perceived Stress Scores were similar between genders, but male farmers expressed more unhappiness in their farm roles. Females also showed a slightly higher frequency of suicidal ideation. Stressors were generally similar among farmers, but females were more concerned about life-work balance and financial issues, while males expressed more worry about sexual issues and their alcohol use. Coping mechanisms varied, with male farmers using a higher variety of strategies, including alcohol consumption as a prominent coping method.
To explore the gender effect on suicidal ideation, a stratified propensity score matching analysis was conducted, which revealed that after controlling for relevant covariates, the gender difference in suicidal ideation disappeared. This suggests that gender-based stress responses may be influenced more by external stressors and environmental factors rather than inherent biological differences.
The study highlights the importance of understanding context-specific stressors and coping mechanisms for male and female farmers. Identifying gender-specific challenges can help design targeted interventions to support the mental health and well-being of agricultural workers.
Keywords
rural, agriculture, farm, mental health, suicide
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Gender-Based Differences in Stress and Coping among Farmers: A Cross-Sectional Study with Propensity Score Matching
This cross-sectional study compares the mental health experiences of male and female farmers, with a particular focus on stress levels, stressors, and coping mechanisms. The research aims to shed light on gender-based differences in stress experiences and coping strategies among agricultural workers. The study involved 1,394 farmers (67.7% male, 32.3% female) from Georgia, USA, who completed an online survey on aspects of mental well-being.
Findings indicate that female farmers were more likely to hold farm manager roles and less likely to be farm owners. Notably, a higher proportion of female farmers were first-generation farmers, indicating potential unique challenges for this subgroup. Perceived Stress Scores were similar between genders, but male farmers expressed more unhappiness in their farm roles. Females also showed a slightly higher frequency of suicidal ideation. Stressors were generally similar among farmers, but females were more concerned about life-work balance and financial issues, while males expressed more worry about sexual issues and their alcohol use. Coping mechanisms varied, with male farmers using a higher variety of strategies, including alcohol consumption as a prominent coping method.
To explore the gender effect on suicidal ideation, a stratified propensity score matching analysis was conducted, which revealed that after controlling for relevant covariates, the gender difference in suicidal ideation disappeared. This suggests that gender-based stress responses may be influenced more by external stressors and environmental factors rather than inherent biological differences.
The study highlights the importance of understanding context-specific stressors and coping mechanisms for male and female farmers. Identifying gender-specific challenges can help design targeted interventions to support the mental health and well-being of agricultural workers.
