Tractors, Talk, Mindset, Mantras, Detachment, and Distraction: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Coping Strategies Used by Farmers in Canada

Abstract

Characterized by high unpredictability and little control, everyday factors make farming one of the most stressful occupations globally. Indeed, farmers around the world and in Canada score more severely on measures of perceived stress and negative mental health outcomes like anxiety and depression, and suicide ideation among farmers is disproportionately high. Research investigating effective ways of coping with everyday stress within the time and workload constraints of farming is scarce. This mixed-methods study explores the ways farmers in Ontario and Canada cope with daily farming stressors. Qualitative data from 75 in-depth interviews with farmers and industry professionals in Ontario, Canada, were analyzed to investigate farming-specific coping strategies within the farming context. Quantitative survey responses from 1167 farmers across Canada to the 14-item Ways of Coping measure developed for the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2 were analyzed to determine which coping strategies Canadian farmers use most in relation to the representative national population. The ways of coping endorsed by farmers are presented in this paper, including adaptations of positive coping strategies in the farming context. The descriptions of positive and negative coping strategies used provide direction for effective avenues to reduce stress and boost farmers’ well-being.

‘It sort of broke me’: A thematic analysis of the psychological experiences and coping strategies employed by Australian fire‐affected farmers

“…37 However, it should also be noted that, while seeking emotional social support was found to generally be adaptive in the context of drought-affected farmers, 37 avoiding others was viewed positively within the Canadian farming population. 34 This is consistent with our findings in the context of fires, where some farmers highlighted the need to take a step back socially to take a break from talking about the fires and/or protect their own privacy. This suggests that those working with farmers in post-fire contexts need to be aware of individual differences and that forcing social connection may in fact be unhelpful for some people.…”

“…These results seem to be consistent with the findings in this study and the results of an Australian study on farmers' coping strategies during drought 37 . However, it should also be noted that, while seeking emotional social support was found to generally be adaptive in the context of drought‐affected farmers, 37 avoiding others was viewed positively within the Canadian farming population 34 . This is consistent with our findings in the context of fires, where some farmers highlighted the need to take a step back socially to take a break from talking about the fires and/or protect their own privacy.…”

“…Efforts to enhance the well-being of farmers are most likely to be successful if they focus on promoting coping strategies, such as those identified in this research, that are already known to be commonly used and endorsed by farmers in these contexts. 34 However, it became apparent that not all strategies farmers used, or wanted to use (e.g., seeking out mental health services), were enabled by outside supports. For instance, although post-disaster health services were available in some regions, in other places they were lacking and/or the psychosocial help they received was only for a short period.…”

“…A recent mixed methods study on Canadian farmers' coping strategies for daily occupational stress, found that farmers endorsed strategies that vary significantly from the general Canadian population. 34 In particular, Canadian farmers were more likely to use more alcohol and drugs, avoid other people, and blame themselves, compared to the general population. These results seem to be consistent with the findings in this study and the results of an Australian study on farmers' coping strategies during drought.…”

“…This research has highlighted a diverse range of strategies that farmers use to aid their recoveries. Efforts to enhance the well‐being of farmers are most likely to be successful if they focus on promoting coping strategies, such as those identified in this research, that are already known to be commonly used and endorsed by farmers in these contexts 34 …”