Endogenous and Exogenous Factors of Farm Households and Their Relation to Farmers’ Feeling of Stress – Empirical Evidence From Austria

The family farm is a unique institution where the farm household balances family members’ needs with farm business demands. Building on the farm household model, this study identifies and characterizes distinct farmer types based on their perceptions of endogenous and exogenous factors. Social capital is considered a crucial resource in this process, helping farmers manage challenges and secure the farm's future. Using survey data (n = 482) from Styrian farmers, we identified three distinct farmer types: ‘financially strong and satisfied with vocation’, ‘struggling and overworked’ and ‘farming for family heritage and tradition’. Our analysis reveals that the ‘struggling and overworked’ type, which is characterized by higher levels of debt and lower social capital, reports significantly higher levels of stress. This type is also more likely to suffer work-related accidents and less likely to engage in stress-mitigating behaviors such as taking vacations or exercising. In contrast, the ‘financially strong and satisfied with vocation’ type is associated with higher social capital, lower levels of stress and a greater propensity for stress-mitigating behaviors. This research contributes to a better understanding of the factors influencing farmers’ feeling of stress and highlights the crucial role of social capital as a stress-mitigating factor.