An Analysis of Suicide Risk Factors among Farmers in the Midwestern United States

Abstract

Research on the complex relationships of variables contributing to farmer suicide is limited. The purpose of the study was to examine factors associated with suicide risk through the use of standardized instruments measuring psychological (depression, anxiety), social (social support), and contextual factors. A questionnaire was completed by 600 farmers in the Midwestern United States. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze associations with suicide risk (SBQ-R), including depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), Brief COPE subscales (BC), social support (MSPSS), and select demographic and farming characteristics. The only variable that emerged as having a significant relationship with the natural log-transformed suicide risk score was coping through self-blame. While suicidality is often considered the outcome of mental illness, our findings do not suggest that suicide risk among farmers is related to mental illness, and a further examination of self-blame as a coping strategy is warranted.

Factors Associated with Suicidal Behavior in Farmers: A Systematic Review

“…Regarding the geographic distribution and population of the analyzed studies, there was heterogeneity in the results. The studies evaluated different age groups, and only 21% of them analyzed the average age of the population, which was approximately 52 years [ 15 , 21 , 28 ]. Moreover, 11 studies presented the variable age categorically.…”

“…Regarding suicidal behavior, eight studies had suicide as an object of analysis [ 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 27 , 29 , 31 ], and the others analyzed attempted suicides [ 26 ] and suicidal ideation [ 25 , 28 , 30 , 32 ]. Different measures for identifying associated factors were also observed, with bivariate analysis (OR/RR) [ 15 , 20 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 29 , 30 ] and correlation coefficients (r, β, α) [ 15 , 24 , 28 , 31 , 32 ], and differences in the types of associated factor analysis techniques.…”

“…While McLaren S. and Chantal C. [ 28 ] used the General Health Questionnaire, Sweetland AC, et al [ 32 ], used the PRIME-MD, and Bjornestad A, Curthbertson C, and Hendricks J [ 21 ] used the SBQ-R. The other authors used semi-structured questionnaires containing a guiding question about suicidal behavior [ 20 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 30 ].…”

“…Therefore, these studies were considered high risk of bias only with regard to this item. On the other hand, the study by Hanigan, et al [ 22 ], observed a high risk of bias, with only 42% of “yes” answers, as can be seen in Figure 2 [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Moreover, a large part of the studies in this review analyzed the inherent aspects of suicidal behavior for both genders [ 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 31 , 32 ]. In different countries, suicide rates are higher in men, while non-lethal methods, such as suicidal ideation and attempted suicides, in women.…”