From Fields to Minds: Georgia Farmworkers Speak on Mental Health Needs
Abstract
Background: Farmworkers have documented elevated mental and behavioral health needs. Most research adopts an “etic” approach to understand farmworker mental health, wherein researchers determine what mental health problems to identify and address. This approach can neglect important issues that are a priority for a community. Scant research has used an “emic” approach where farmworkers are asked to describe their needs freely and in their own words. We will use a qualitative assessment tool to elucidate the health needs and priorities of farmworkers in a Georgia county.
Methods: Using the DIME model (Design, Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation), we will conduct 20 free list interviews with farmworkers. Participants will be interviewed in Spanish by bilingual community partners. Farmworkers will exhaustively list and describe the problems and related issues experienced by their community, including important daily activities necessary to care for themselves and participate in their community. Analysis will consolidate data into a single list of responses, including tracking the number of each reported response. From the extensive list of problems, issues related to mental and behavioral health will be identified.
Anticipated Results: Interviews will be complete by February 2025, with analysis completed by April 2025. Results will include a master list and descriptions of all mentioned activities of daily living and mental health and behavioral problems.
Conclusion: Qualitative assessment is a critical first step in selecting and adapting interventions to address the mental health needs of a community. Our results will provide insight into how farmworkers perceive their mental health and what issues are most important to them, along with perceptions of healthy functioning and wellbeing. Identifying the mental health issues that are important to Georgia farmworkers will allow accurate communication about these problems and the development of interventions that are both acceptable and feasible to this population.
Keywords
Farmworkers, mental health, behavioral health, qualitative methods, activities of daily living, free list interviews
Conflict of Interest Form
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From Fields to Minds: Georgia Farmworkers Speak on Mental Health Needs
Background: Farmworkers have documented elevated mental and behavioral health needs. Most research adopts an “etic” approach to understand farmworker mental health, wherein researchers determine what mental health problems to identify and address. This approach can neglect important issues that are a priority for a community. Scant research has used an “emic” approach where farmworkers are asked to describe their needs freely and in their own words. We will use a qualitative assessment tool to elucidate the health needs and priorities of farmworkers in a Georgia county.
Methods: Using the DIME model (Design, Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation), we will conduct 20 free list interviews with farmworkers. Participants will be interviewed in Spanish by bilingual community partners. Farmworkers will exhaustively list and describe the problems and related issues experienced by their community, including important daily activities necessary to care for themselves and participate in their community. Analysis will consolidate data into a single list of responses, including tracking the number of each reported response. From the extensive list of problems, issues related to mental and behavioral health will be identified.
Anticipated Results: Interviews will be complete by February 2025, with analysis completed by April 2025. Results will include a master list and descriptions of all mentioned activities of daily living and mental health and behavioral problems.
Conclusion: Qualitative assessment is a critical first step in selecting and adapting interventions to address the mental health needs of a community. Our results will provide insight into how farmworkers perceive their mental health and what issues are most important to them, along with perceptions of healthy functioning and wellbeing. Identifying the mental health issues that are important to Georgia farmworkers will allow accurate communication about these problems and the development of interventions that are both acceptable and feasible to this population.
