EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION

Farm Stress: Recognition, Consequences, and Resources

Chris Bruynis, PhD, Ohio State University Extension, Wyandot CountyBruce Clevenger, Ohio State University Extension, Defiance CountyDr. Dee Jepsen, Ohio State University, CFAES, Food, Ag, and Biological Engineering

Program Objectives

• To increase awareness of stress and the impact on mental health of farm families.

• To outline several strategies to reduce farm stress.

• To provide mental health resources that are available to farm families.

Causes of Farm Financial Stress

• Ohio farmers in a recent study identified these issues as a serious threat to their business (2007)– Cost of health insurance– Cost of farm inputs– Cost of farmland– Net income from farm– Current farm product prices

Farm Financial Stress and Mental Health

• Impact on Individuals– Farmers will be at increased risk for farm accidents

and injury. Geller, The Journal of Rural Health

– Farmers and rural residents will be at increased risk for mental health disorders, especially depression. Ortega, Rural

Sociology

Farm Financial Stress and Mental Health

• Impact on Families– Farm and farm families will experience

increased inter-generational conflict. Anderson, Journal of Rural Community Psychology

– The quality of farm marriages will be affected with an increase in thoughts of divorce. Johnson, Family Relations

Farm Financial Stress and Mental Health

• Impact on Children– Parents suffering from depression related to the farm crisis

will not only have relationship difficulties with their spouses, but also have poorer parent-child relations. Ge, X. Journal of Research on Adolescence

– Depression and stress related to the farm crisis will result in poor parenting practices

and in turn produce increased risk for adolescent internalizing disorders such as depression. Ge, X. Journal of Health and Social Behavior

Farm Financial Stress and Mental Health

• Impact on Communities– In some cases, depression will be contagious

affecting entire communities. O’Brien, Rural Sociology

– There will be increased community disorganization which will result in increased levels of conduct problems among adolescents. Simons, American Journal of Community

Psychology

National Ag Safety Database

• Perceived Stress and Depression Among Cash Grain Farmers in Ohio (4,860 cash grain farms in 2002)

– Two schools of thought measured• Less stress due to idyllic workplace• Numerous stressors unique to farming

– Factors• Age and education• Full-time farm + full-time off farm• Full-time farm only• Farm size and level of earnings

National Ag Safety Database

• Farmers were more stressed and more depressed than a national sample of employed, non-disabled males.

• Education level and age were inversely related to depression.– Younger farmers were more stressed.– Farmers with lower education levels were more

stressed.• Lower depression scores were related to working

more hours off of the farm.

Warning Signs of Farm Stress

• Physical Reactions• Cognitive Reactions• Emotional Reactions• Behavioral Reactions

Physical Reactions

• Changes in sleep patterns • Changes in appetite • Headaches

• Fatigue • Nausea and stomach discomfort • Elevated blood pressure & heart

rate • Jumpiness or feeling “wired”

Cognitive Reactions

• Difficulty with concentration • Recurrent intrusive thoughts • Memory problems

• Decreased problem-solving ability • Nightmares • Unproductive worry

Emotional Reactions

• Shock and numbness • Fear and anxiety • Depression

• Anger and irritability • Guilt, shame, doubt, pessimism • Loss of status, role, security,

trust and control

Behavioral Reactions

• Preoccupation with the news stories, bank statements, rumors, etc.

• Decline in work performance • Increased substance abuse or

other unhealthy habits (e.g., gambling, comfort eating)

• Increased conflict with family or coworkers (argumentative, irritable, needy, isolated, distant/detached)

Stress Reducing Activities/Actions

• Eating a well-balanced diet. • Exercising ½ hour a day every day/every other day.• Getting enough sleep to meet the demands of your

body.• Accepting that stress is a part of life –don’t dwell on it.• Clearly define home and work responsibilities.• Managing time efficiently.• Setting realistic goals.• Learning to relax.• Separate work and family time.

Mental Health Resources

Closing Thoughts

• Financial stress among farm and rural residents is present today!

• You are not trained to be counselors…don’t try to solve your clients emotional problems…direct them to someone who is trained to do so!

• In the words of Bobby McFerrin Don't Worry Be Happy