Refining the Migrant Farmworker Stress Inventory among Latino migrant farmworkers in rural Nebraska.

Abstract

The Migrant Farmworker Stress Inventory (MFWSI) was developed to measure the distinct stressors faced by migrant farmworkers. The most appropriate measurement and factor structure, however, has been primarily examined with exploratory methods with no studies of confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) to date. The present study built on prior exploratory factor analytic approaches using the MFWSI by applying CFA and other tests of validity to better delineate the component parts of migrant farmworker stress that contribute to anxiety and depression. Participants were 241 Latino migrant farmworkers recruited from rural farmworker campsites in Nebraska. Initially, neither of the previously identified factor structures fit the data well. Following model respecification, only three factors remained from the original exploratory approaches. These models produced both common and unique factors, which were combined to produce a four-factor model. Results suggest that rural migrant farmworker stress may operate with at least four distinct domains: (a) economic difficulties, (b) immigration and legal status, (c) parenting and child difficulties, and (d) social isolation and related challenges. Finally, only economic difficulties predicted depression and anxiety scores, such that those reporting more stress around economic difficulties reported higher depression and anxiety symptoms. Results point to the need for additional measurement and construct refinement to inform empirical, clinical, policy, and social advocacy work. Public Health Significance StatementWe have identified four distinct domains of stress that migrant farmworkers experience, which are economic difficulties, immigration and legal status concerns, parenting and child difficulties, and social isolation and related challenges. In order to effectively reduce these stressors, comprehensive reform needs to occur at the state and federal level, including immigration reform, better oversight of H-2 A visa program, and better access to childcare services in agricultural communities.