Anthropological and Psychological Merge: Design of a Stress Measure for Mexican Farmworkers

Abstract

This study implements qualitative and quantitative methodologies in the development of a culturally appropriate instrument of stress for Mexican immigrant farmworkers. Focus groups were used to uncover culturally based perspectives on life stressors, definitions of stress, and stress mediators. Qualitative data were analyzed using QSR NVivo and then used to develop a 23-item stress scale. The scale was tested for reliability and validity in an independent sample and demonstrates excellent reliability (α = 0.9123). Test-retest coefficients of the stress scale are also strong (r = 0.8344, p = 0.0000). Qualitative analyses indicated three major sources of stress: work, family, and community. Emotional aspects of stress also emerged, demonstrating a cultural perspective of stress closely related to feelings of despair and not being able to find a way out of despairing situations. This paper reveals themes gathered from the qualitative data and identifies reliability and validity constructs associated with the scale. The stress scale developed as part of this investigation is a reliable and culturally appropriate instrument for assessing stress among Mexican immigrant farmworkers.

Seasonal variation in cortisol biomarkers in Hispanic mothers living in an agricultural region

“…Cortisol samples may be responding to seasonal changes, such as the start of the school year, potential job changes for the participants or someone else in their family or even more natural factors like changes in weather or daylight. The MIFSS asks questions specific to stress caused by childcare availability, having too much or too little work and lack of financial resources(Snipes, Thompson et al 2007). Because these responses were not different between seasons, it is possible that the biomarkers are accessing more subtle stress responses than the questionnaires.…”

“…The MIFSS is a stress questionnaire designed using focus groups of Mexican immigrant farmworkers living in agricultural Yakima, Washington(Snipes, Thompson et al 2007). Because of the similarities between our study cohort and the community that created this questionnaire, the types of questions are exceptionally relevant to our cohort.…”

“…Chronic stress is measured by hair cortisol and stress questionnaire assessment. During each season, saliva samples were collected five times per day for two consecutive days, one blood sample and one hair sample were collected and participants responded to the 10 item Perceived Stress Scale(PSS) (Cohen, Kamarck et al 1983) and Mexican Immigrant Farmworker Stress Scale(MIFSS)(Snipes, Thompson et al 2007), available in both Spanish and English (Figure 1). For each sampling day, saliva samples were taken upon awakening, 30 minutes post awakening, 11:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and before bed.…”

“…Participants responded to the PSS-10(Cohen, Kamarck et al 1983) and the Mexican Immigrant Farmworker Stress Scale (MIFSS)(Snipes, Thompson et al 2007). Questionnaires were available in English and Spanish and administered in the participant's choice of language.…”

“…One particular group that may be at increased risk of high stress exposure is Hispanic mothers living in rural, agricultural communities. Many of these women are separated from family, experience a barrier in communication, have higher rates of discrimination and difficult working conditions (Snipes, Thompson et al 2007). Women in this community are frequently employed in agricultural settings, leading to inherent changes in work and financial stress between seasons.…”