Publications by Colleges and Departments (MSU - Bozeman)
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Item “Death by a Thousand Cuts”: Agriculture Producer Resiliency in the Western United States(Informa UK Limited, 2023-11) Freeman, Brenda; Grocke-Dewey, Michelle U.; Chichester, Lindsay; Breeding, Katherine; Stallones, Lorann; Minter, MonicaObjective: Agricultural producers face a wide array of stress triggers, shocks, and long-term pressures such as drought, flooding, fire, government policies, financial insecurity, and physical injuries. Extant research has revealed that mental health stigma, lack of access to care in rural areas, and negative coping responses (alcohol abuse, suicide, prescription drugs use) exacerbate the challenge of producer responses to short and long-term adversity. Resilience, the traits, processes, and capacities of producers to adapt and transform their approach to farming or ranching, when necessary, in response to stress triggers or long-term pressures, has received less research attention, particularly in the Western United States. The purpose of the study was to apply an interactionist occupational resilience theoretical perspective to the investigation of contextual factors contributing to resilience in Western United States agricultural producers. Methods: Qualitative interviews (45 to 90 minutes) were conducted with agricultural producers (n=51) from Western states and territories. Applied thematic analysis with a phenomenological lens was utilized to analyze interview transcriptions. First and second level coding were conducted to derive themes. Results: The analysis revealed that resilience is based upon the interactions between traits of producers and the context of agriculture. Four themes were generated (Agricultural Life, External Stressors, Traits and Adaptations, and Supports and Resources), supported by subthemes. The themes and subthemes are depicted in an agricultural producer resiliency model. The findings shed light on the equivocal role of neighbors in providing support for each other and the double- edged sword of co-working with family. Conclusions: The findings underscore that social capital is an important mechanism for supporting farmers and ranchers, as those with stronger social resources are more resilient. We recommend more funding to tailor stress and mental health programming to the specifics of agriculture, integration of behavioral health in primary care as a mechanism to increase access to care, and more intentional technical assistance for farmers and ranchers on strategic planning and problem solving.Item 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, DonChronic 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.