Farming, Stress and Psychological Well–being: The Case of Norwegian Farm Spouses

This study examines the relationships among farm–related stress, social support and psychological health in Norwegian farm spouses. Unlike most families, farm families are characterised by the intertwining of work and family. It is here claimed that indicators representative of contemporary farm life influence experienced well–being, though in different ways for women and men. Farm husbands’ and farm wives’ exposure and vulnerability to stressors in work, family and social networks are investigated. Data analysis focuses on the impact of stress on his and her psychological well–being and the extent to which social support mitigates the effect of stress. While farm life is often described as gender biased, it is here found that farm couples’ psychological well–being is to a high degree influenced by the same stressors. One conclusion is that farm life is intertwined and that farm couples may be best characterized by symmetry in the relation between experienced stress and well–being.