Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39135210›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2024

A multidimensional tool to measure farm stressors: development and initial validation of the farmer stress assessment tool (FSAT).

R J Purc-Stephenson, S Dedrick, D Hood

Abstract readValidation Study
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Article in BMC psychology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

R J Purc-StephensonDepartment of Social Science, Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta, Camrose, AB, T4V 1R3, Canada. purcstep@ualberta.ca.
S DedrickDepartment of Social Science, Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta, Camrose, AB, T4V 1R3, Canada.
D HoodDepartment of Social Science, Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta, Camrose, AB, T4V 1R3, Canada.

Funding

Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta RES0061171
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFarming is a stressful occupation, and a growing body of research shows that farm stressors are associated with poor mental health. To date, there are few methodologically sound surveys that assess farm stressors, and none have been validated for the Canadian context. Our study aimed to: (a) investigate the types of stressors experienced by farmers, (b) develop a farm stress assessment tool and test its factor structure and internal consistency, and (c) assess its criterion-related validity to self-reported levels of anxiety, depression, burnout, and resilience among farmers.

methodsWe developed a 20-item survey based on a review of the literature, examining existing farm stress surveys, and consulting 10 farmers and agricultural industry experts. Then, a convenience sample of farmers living in Alberta, Canada (Sample 1, N = 354) completed a questionnaire containing the 20-item farm stress survey and four validated measures that assessed depression, anxiety, burnout, and resilience. Sample 1 was used to assess the factor structure using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), internal consistency, and criterion-validity of the survey. Next, a convenience sample of farmers living outside of Alberta (Sample 2, N = 138) was used to evaluate the factor structure of the survey using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

resultsThe results of the EFA revealed five underlying dimensions of farm stressors: Unexpected work disruptions, Agricultural hazards, Farm and financial planning, Isolation, and Regulations and public pressure. The subscales accounted for 61.6% of the variance, and the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from 0.66 to.75. Subscale correlations were below 0.44, indicating evidence of discriminant validity. Correlations between the five subscales and the four mental health outcome variables supported the criterion-related validity of the survey. The results of the CFA indicated that the data fit the model, and fit was further improved by correlating one pair of error terms.

conclusionsPreliminary analysis of our Farmer Stress Assessment Tool (FSAT) suggests it is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring a range of stressors farmers face. Implications for policy and community-based mental health interventions that help farmers manage the enduring stressors of agriculture is discussed.

Indexed as

FarmersOccupational StressPsychometricsAdultAgedAgricultureAlbertaAnxietyBurnout, ProfessionalDepressionFactor Analysis, StatisticalFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedReproducibility of ResultsAgricultural safetyAnxietyBurnoutDepressionMental healthResilienceStress

Identifiers

PMID39135210
PMCPMC11321130

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.