Exploring Farmers’ Motivators and Barriers to Adopting Stress Management Behaviors

Farmers experience high levels of stress, with negative sequelae including physical illness, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Despite this, farmers are often reluctant to adopt stress management behaviors. This study collected survey data on motivators and barriers to stress management behavior change among farmers from 162 participants at a regional fruit and vegetable growers’ conference. Survey findings were analyzed using the Health Beliefs Model (HBM) as an organizing framework, calculating the frequency of survey item endorsement, identifying items above the median, and sorting these into the major constructs of the HBM. The study revealed that farmers seldom endorsed getting information about perceived susceptibility to and severity of unmanaged stress as factors that would move them to behavior change; only one survey item—a health crisis--rose above the median. Participants identified learning about stress management benefits from others, particularly other farmers, and family support for changing behavior as potent motivators. In addition, they frequently identified discomfort in talking about feelings and internalized stigma grounded in pride and embarrassment as barriers to change. Most frequently, they identified the time and labor demands of farming as barriers to change. In addition to these findings, during analyses, we noted parallels between the frequently endorsed items in the survey and two core constructs from the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS)—thwarted belongingness (e.g., long hours of farming) and perceived burdensomeness (e.g., embarrassment at feeling stress and needing support). Study findings suggest that stress management interventions should consider both behavior change and addressing factors that can be risks for suicide. These include: 1) education provided by trusted others, including family and peers; 2) messaging that stress is normal and asking for support is not a burden; 3) opportunities for connection and decreased isolation; 4) programs that recognize and respect the harsh demands of farming life.