Depression and Perceived Stress Among Cash Grain Farmers in Ohio

The mean level of depressive symptoms among male cash grain farmers in Ohio(N = 1388) was compared to that of a representative sample of employed males in theUnited States (N = 1375). An age-adjusted comparison indicated that the farmersreported higher levels of depressive symptoms. Age-specific comparisons indicated thatfarmers aged 30 to 44 years experienced higher levels of depressive symptoms and agreater likelihood of having a depressive disorder than did their similarly-aged nationalcounterparts. Among the farmers, the elevated levels of depressive symptoms for theyounger farmers were due to high levels of perceived stress, whereas the slightlyelevated levels among farmers aged 65 years and older were not.