Farming, Stress and Psychological Well–being: The Case of Norwegian Farm Spouses

Abstract

This study examines the relationships among farm–related stress, social support and psychological health in Norwegian farm spouses. Unlike most families, farm families are characterised by the intertwining of work and family. It is here claimed that indicators representative of contemporary farm life influence experienced well–being, though in different ways for women and men. Farm husbands’ and farm wives’ exposure and vulnerability to stressors in work, family and social networks are investigated. Data analysis focuses on the impact of stress on his and her psychological well–being and the extent to which social support mitigates the effect of stress. While farm life is often described as gender biased, it is here found that farm couples’ psychological well–being is to a high degree influenced by the same stressors. One conclusion is that farm life is intertwined and that farm couples may be best characterized by symmetry in the relation between experienced stress and well–being.

Predictors of mental complaints among Norwegian male farmers

“…For this reason, we need to bear in mind that the association between work demands and mental health that we found may partly be due to a reversed effect. There have been studies of the level of anxiety and depression in farmers in Norway [27], and of general mental health and mental well-being [10]. In a study of farmers in the UK, higher rates of depression than of anxiety were found [28].…”

“…In Norway, farmers often work alone [8], and it is claimed that farmers tend to choose a rather isolated occupation partly because they are less reliant on social support from others, and social support is of less importance for their health and well-being [9]. A study of Norwegian farmers found that social networks, as regards number of close friends, did not affect their mental well-being [10]. Over the last 10 years, there has been an increase in the proportion of farmers in Norway suffering from loneliness and not satisfied with their social networks, and it is claimed that social relations are important for their subjective health [8].…”

“…As corporate owners, farmers have personal responsibility for the survival of the enterprise, and this may create incompatible pressures that cannot be resolved by high control [18]. In a study of Norwegian farmers, they found that both high work demands and a weak sense of independence were associated with more psychological distress [19], while Melberg [10] found in her study of Norwegian farmers that self-reported levels of independence were not important for their mental well-being. The JDR model is often considered to be a descriptive model where the associations between groups of variables and not the dimensions are specified [20].…”

Stress in Farm Entrepreneurs

“…For example, women often work on a farm as a consequence of marriage to a farmer. However, in a Norwegian study, the stress level was lower among respondents who had a higher educational level (Melberg, 2003). Physical stress factors include illness or injury certified by doctor and a low self-estimation of the ability to work (Kallioniemi et al, 2008).…”

“…Alston was worried about 'neoliberal' policies, which together with economic factors may leave farm families without support. On the other hand, Melberg (2003) considered in her study that. in general, Norwegian farm entrepreneurs are not vulnerable to stress symptoms.…”