Prevalence of Anxiety Symptoms by Sociodemographic and Employment Characteristics in a National Sample of Hired Crop Workers: Evidence From the National Agricultural Workers Survey (2018–2022)

Background Hired crop workers face harsh working conditions, including physical, economic, and social challenges. We present a population‐based assessment of anxiety symptoms among a large national sample of hired crop workers in the United States. Methods In‐person interviews were conducted with 6108 crop workers during 2018–2022. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD‐2) questions were included in the National Agricultural Workers Survey to provide weighted prevalences of anxiety symptoms and prevalence ratios for the association between anxiety symptoms and crop worker demographics and employment characteristics. Results The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 20.6% for scoring ≥ 1 on the GAD‐2, and 7.7% for scoring ≥ 3 on the GAD‐2. Women had a 73% excess risk of any anxiety (GAD‐2 ≥ 1) and an 84% higher risk of severe anxiety (GAD‐2 ≥ 3) than men. Men with a medium level of English language ability had a 28%−31% increased risk of anxiety symptoms compared to those with a lower English language ability. Not having workers' compensation insurance was associated with a 56% reduced risk of having severe anxiety symptoms among men. However, total family income, working directly for an agricultural employer or farm labor contractor, method of payment, unemployment insurance, and health insurance were not significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Compared to working in California, men working in the Northeast showed a 57% reduced risk of more severe anxiety symptoms. Conclusions Based on a large national sample of hired crop workers, nearly one in four crop workers suffered from anxiety, with women having a much higher prevalence than men, suggesting the need for mental health services for this population.