Farmer Burnout in Canada

Abstract

While farmers in several countries worldwide are reported to be at higher risk for poor mental health outcomes like chronic stress, depression, and anxiety, there is a paucity of research on burnout in farmers. This cross-sectional study used an online survey administered between September 2015 and February 2016 to investigate burnout (as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey (MBI–GS)) amongst farmers in Canada. The specific objectives were to measure the three components of burnout (exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy), and to explore potential associated risk factors, as well as to determine the prevalence of the different burnout profiles (engaged, ineffective, overextended, disengaged, and burnout). MBI–GS results were obtained from 1075 farmers. Approximately 70% of the study sample identified as male and 30% as female, and participants were from a variety of farming commodities. Scores for exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy were all higher than international norms. While 43% of participants were classified as engaged, 44% were classified in the ineffective, overextended, or disengaged profiles (i.e., intermediate profiles on the engagement – burnout continuum), and 12% were classified in the burnout profile. Risk factor results highlighted the positive effects of farmer support from spouse/romantic partner, friends, and industry. Overall, the results from this study demonstrate cause for concern with respect to farmer burnout, suggest potential avenues for intervention, and serve as a call to action to better support farmers in Canada.

Mental Health and Substance Use of Farmers in Canada during COVID-19

“…The emotional exhaustion and cynicism subscale means were significantly higher in the 2021 participants than normative population means (2.26 (1.47) and 1.74 (1.36); p < 0.001) [ 41 ]. The professional efficacy subscale mean was significantly higher in the 2021 sample than the normative population mean (4.34 (1.17); p < 0.001) [ 41 ], but significantly lower than the 2016 sample mean (4.85 (1.01); p = 0.001) [ 14 ]. Emotional exhaustion and cynicism subscale means did not significantly differ between the 2021 and 2016 farming samples.…”

“…The MBI is considered the gold standard to measure the construct of burnout and its components [ 42 ]. The scale has established validity and reliability in English [ 41 ] and French [ 43 ] and has been used previously with Canadian farmers [ 14 ]. The 16-item scale asks participants to rate their thoughts and feelings relating to burnout on a 7-point Likert-type scale from 0 (never) to 6 (every day) [ 41 ].…”

“…The first national survey of farmer mental health in Canada was conducted in 2015/2016 and found that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers in Canada faced increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and lower resilience and help-seeking than population norms [ 14 , 15 ]. Since the 2016 survey, mental health awareness campaigns and mental health literacy programs in the agricultural community have been launched [ 16 ].…”

Quality of Work Life and Contribution to Productivity: Assessing the Moderator Effects of Burnout Syndrome

“…(in models 3 and 5). Indeed, benefiting from an appropriate salary, schemes of occupational health (QWL’s motivators) at work coupled with emotional exhaustion restricts the relationship between QWL and contribution to productivity (H3a), which is aligned with previous work [ 11 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 78 , 87 ]. Highly stressful working environments are associated with a higher burnout, being staff’ stress a positive predictor of burnout, as prior studies already conveyed [ 2 , 3 , 64 , 81 ].…”

“…On the one hand, a high QWL has been associated with greater productivity at the workplace [ 50 ]. On the other hand, work-related occupational stress, anxiety and burnout are related to lower job performance [ 78 ] and lead to significant costs for organizations [ 1 ]. In organizational contexts, the costs of burnout are growing fast [ 8 , 11 ], affecting 13–25% of the working population [ 12 ].…”