An Investigation of Mental Health and Occupational Stressors Among Farmers in Canada

For decades, farming has been recognized as a highly stressful occupation globally. In2016, a national survey investigating mental health outcomes among farmers in Canadafound increased levels of mental distress among this population compared to thegeneral public. Farmers are known to face a unique host of occupational stressors, andthe COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional challenges for farmers in Canada.Hence, the second wave of the national, online, cross-sectional survey of mental healthoutcomes among farmers in Canada was conducted early 2021. The survey resultsshowed increased levels of anxiety, depression, perceived stress, emotionalexhaustion, and cynicism among farmers compared to the Canadian public, particularlyamong farming women. This justified action towards identifying opportunities to reducestress and increase well-being in this population. A mixed-methods investigationprovided a comprehensive understanding of chronic and episodic farming stressors inCanada and identified promising areas for stress-reduction and well-being promotionefforts.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Guelph

Author dc:creator

• Thompson, Rochelle

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jones-Bitton, Andria

• mental health
• farmer
• anxiety
• depression
• substance use
• stressor
• stress

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10214/27375

OAI record oai:identifier

https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Aatrium.lib.uoguelph.ca%3A10214%2F27375