Browsing by Author "Brennan, Alison"

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Developing and Implementing Farm Stress Training to Address Agricultural Producer Mental Health
(2020-06) Cuthbertson, Courtney; Brennan, Alison; Shutske, John; Zierl, Lori; Bjornestad, Andrea; Macy, Katelyn; Schallhorn, Pam; Shelle, Gwyn; Dellifield, Jami; Leatherman, John; Lin, Esther; Skidmore, Mark L.
Farmers and ranchers (agricultural producers) have higher psychological distress and suicide rates than the general population. Poorer mental health status and outcomes among producers are often attributed to the continuously challenging economic, social, and climate-related changes to agriculture as an occupation and industry. This article describes the development of a training program for agribusiness professionals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (N = 500) who work with producers, as they regularly interact with producers and thus are in a position to readily offer helpful mental health resources. The goal of the program was for agribusiness professionals to build skills and confidence to identify and respond to distressed producers. The educational program was offered primarily online and included a 1-day in-person training to practice skills to communicate with distressed producers and refer them to appropriate mental health resources. Evaluation of the program demonstrated participants experienced gains in knowledge and skills related to identifying and helping distressed producers.
Perceived stress, stressors, and preferred stress management strategies among western agricultural producers
(American Psychological Association, 2023-05) Grocke-Dewey, Michelle U.; Brennan, Alison; Freeman, Brenda; Weas, Heather; Gutheil, Jessica; Stallones, Lorann; McMoran, Don
Chronic stress is associated with adverse physical, emotional, and social health outcomes such as increased rates of chronic disease, anxiety, behavioral inhibition, and well-being. In the United States, farmers and ranchers experience some of the highest levels of these adverse health outcomes. This study presents data from the Western Region Agricultural Producer Stress Survey, a survey tool designed to better understand these stressors and desired mitigation techniques. A sample of 767 agricultural producers participated in a survey that gauged their perceived stress levels, sources of stress, desired stress management topics, and preferred methods of receiving information. Workload, financial worries, and lack of time presented as the top stressors. Women averaged higher levels of both perceived stress and stressor pileup than men. Interest in stress management topics also differed significantly by gender and age, with men more interested in parenting classes and support groups, and younger producers more interested in nutrition/cooking classes. The most preferred methods for receiving information were online options. Data suggest that, on average, producers across the Western region of the United States are experiencing a medium level of stress. While this is concerning, producers expressed interest in learning more about a variety of topics to help them manage their stress and improve their well-being. Better understanding of agricultural producers’ preferences for stress management topics, as well as their preferred dissemination methods, is critical in terms of providing this often underserved population with appropriate mental health assistance.
Strengthening the Power of Evidence‑Based Prevention in Cooperative Extension: A Capacity‑Building Framework for Translation Science‑Driven Behavioral Health
(2021) Spoth, Richard; Franz, Nancy; Brennan, Alison
Background Translation science entails application of information gained through scientific research to practices intended to improve prevention and public health. The outreach arm of Land-Grant Universities—the Cooperative Extension System—is uniquely poised to facilitate this translation process and contribute to resolution of current substance misuse and other behavioral health issues. Objective This paper summarizes selected literatures that guided the conceptualization of a framework for building Extension’s capacity to enhance the translation process, in order to better address substance misuse and other behavioral health issues. Method Peer-reviewed literature was obtained from journals representing varied disciplines including medicine, public health, education, and psychology. Journals for Extension professionals were a prominent source of relevant literature. The literature review informed the identification of relevant practice gaps, barriers in addressing those gaps, and the development of a capacity-building framework. Results The framework described highlights opportunities for building Cooperative Extension’s capacity to address goals in four key domains. These goals include (1) catalyzing Extension’s organizational development to support science-driven practices, (2) bolstering prevention and behavioral health-oriented professional development for Extension faculty and staff, (3) creating a stronger culture of behavioral health in Extension, and (4) strengthening Extension’s financing of prevention-oriented behavioral health efforts. Conclusion Addressing the capacity-related goals identified in this paper could be a major catalyst for enhancing the power of proven, prevention-oriented behavioral health and, thereby, the well-being of our families, communities and nation.