Self-reported stress symptoms in farmers

The self-reported incidence of stress-related symptoms was studied in 817 farm men and women and 109 urban residents. Close to 50% of the farm sample reported the frequent to constant occurrence of the symptoms of trouble relaxing, loss of temper, and fatigue. Over 30% of the farmers reported similar occurrence rates for six additional symptoms. Self-reported symptom rates were significantly higher in farm women than in farm men, higher in younger farmers, higher in mixed farming operations, and higher in farmers who were holding off-farm employment. Symptom scores were significantly higher in the farmers compared to the urban sample. A stepwise discriminant analysis showed that scores on five symptoms were able to distinguish meaningfully between farm and urban groups. It was suggested that the chronic stress associated with the current farm financial crisis may be causing a high self-reported incidence of symptoms among farmers.