Preview

Study on Depression in Farmers and Farming Families

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
11145 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Study on Depression in Farmers and Farming Families
Centre for Rural Mental Health

Depression in Farmers and Farming Families

Project Report 2005

This research project was funded by beyondblue: the national depression initiative

We would like to acknowledge and thank the participants who made this project possible by generously giving up their time and sharing their experiences with us.

The Depression in Farmers and Farming Families was undertaken by the Centre for Rural Mental Health The Centre gratefully acknowledges the support of the beyondblue Victorian Centre of Excellence in Depression and Related Disorders.

The Centre for Rural Mental Health is a joint initiative of Monash University and Bendigo Health Care Group.

June, 2005
Important Note

In order to protect the privacy of participants all names used in this report have been changed and any identifying details removed.

1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................4 1.1. 2. ORGANISATION OF THIS REPORT .....................................................................4

BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................5 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. 2.6. THE NATURE OF FARMING WORK ...................................................................5 FARMING AND FAMILY LIFE ...........................................................................6 CHANGES TO FAMILY FARMING IN AUSTRALIA ..............................................7 LIFE IN FARMING COMMUNITIES .....................................................................8 PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ....................................................9 FARMING AND MENTAL HEALTH ..................................................................10

3.

METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................11 3.1. 3.2. STUDY AREA AND PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT


References: Cited  Andrews, G, Hall, W, Teesson, M, and Henderson, A. S (1999) The mental health of Australians. National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Report II. Mental Health Branch, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, Canberra Australian Bureau of Statistics (2003) Australian Social Trends. Family and Community - Living Arrangements: Farming families. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee & Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AMWAC) (1999) The specialist psychiatry workforce in Australia: Supply an Requirements 1999-2010. AMWAC, Sydney Black, A, Duff, J, Saggers, S, Bains, P, Jennings A, and Bowen, P (2000) Rural Communities and Rural Social Issues: Priorities for research. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra Booth N, Briscoe M, Powell R (2000) Suicide in the farming community: methods used and contact with health services. Occupational & Environmental.Medicine. 57: 642-644. Booth N, Lloyd K (1999) Stress in Farmes. International journal of Social Psychiatry 46: 67-73. Charlton J, Kelly S, Dunnell K, Evans B, Jenkins R (1993) Suicide deaths in England and Wales: trends in factors associated with suicide deaths. Population Trends 34-42. Deary I, Willock J, McGregory M (1997) Stress in Farming. Stress Medicine 13: 131-136. DeRoo LA, Rautiainen R H (2000) A systematic review of farm safety interventions. American Journal of PreventiveMedicine 18: 51-62. Dyck I (1995) Hidden geographies: The changing lifeworlds of women with multiple sclerosis. Social Science & Medicine 40: 307-320. Eisner CS, Neal RD, Scaife B (1998) Depression and anxiety in farmers. Prim Care Psychiatry 4: 101-105. Fincher R, Wulff M, (1997) Locations of poverty and disadvantage, in Fincher R and Nieuwenhuysen J (eds), Australian poverty now and then. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne: 144-164 Fragar, L and Franklin, R (2000) The health and safety of Australia 's farming community: A report of the National Farm Injury Data Centre for the Farm Safety Joint Research Venture. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, Moree Franklin RC, Mitchell R, Driscoll T, Frager L (2001) Agricultural work-related fatalities in Australia, 1989-1992. Journal of Agicultural Safety & Health 7: 213-227. Gamble D, Blunden S, Kuhn- White L, Voyce M, and Loftus J (1995) Transfer of the Family Farm Business In a Changing Rural Society. RIRDC Research, Canberra Gerrard CE (1998) Farmers ' occupational health: cause for concern, cause for action. Journal of Advanced Nursing 28: 155-163. Gray I, Lawrence G (1996) Predictors of Stress Among Australian Farmers. Australian Journal Of Social Issues 31: 173-189. Gray I, Lawrence G, Dunn T (1993) Coping with change: Australian Farmers in the 1990 's. Centre for Social Research, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga Harden J (2005) "Uncharted Waters": The Experience of Parents of Young People With Mental Health Problems. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 15: 207-223. Harding J (2000) The supply and distribution of general practitioners, in General Practice in Australia. Commonwealth Department of Health & Aged Care, Canberra Hawton K, Fagg J, Simkin S, Harriss L, Malmberg A, Smith D (1999) The geographical distribution of suicides in farmers in England and Wales. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 34: 122-127. Hawton, K, Simkin, S, Aslog, M, Fagg, J, and Harriss, L (1998a) Suicide and Stress in Farmers. Stationary Office, London Hawton K, Fagg J, Simkin S, Harriss L, Malmberg A (1998b) Methods used for suicide by farmers in England and Wales. The contribution of availability and its relevance to prevention HAWTON,KEITH; FAGG,JOAN; SIMKIN,SUE; HARRISS,LOUISE; MALMBERG,ASLOG. The British Journal of Psychiatry 173: 320-324. Inskip H, Coggin D, Winter Paul, Pannett B (1996) Mortality of farmers and farmers ' wives in England and Wales 1979-80, 1982-90 [Paper] ; Winter, Paul; Pannett, Brian. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 53: 730735. Kawachi I, Berkman L (2003) Neighborhoods and Health. Oxford University Press, Oxford Kirkhorn SR, Schenker M B (2002) Current health effects of agricultural work: respiratory disease, cancer, reproductive effects, musculoskeletal injuries, and pesticide-related illnesses. [Review] [96 refs]. Journal of Agricultural Safety & Health 8: 199-214. Kirkwood K, Peck D (1997) How do you identify people with severe mental illness in rural communities? Mental Health Care 1: 61-63. Kohl S (1976) Working together: Women and Family in Southwestern Saskatchewen. Holt, Rinehart and Winston of Canada, Toronto Kposawa AJ (1999) Suicide Mortality in the United States: Differentials by Industrial and Occupational Groups. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 36: 645-652. Lawrence G, (1996) The future of agriculture and rural society in central Queensland, in Cryle D, Griffin G, and Stehlik D (eds), Future for Central Queensland. Rural and Social Economic Research Centre, University of Queensland, Rockhampton: 53-58 Lawrence G (1999) Agri-food restructuring: A synthesis of recent Australian Research. Rural Sociology 64: 186-202. Leigh JP., McCurdy SA, Schenker MB (2001) Costs of occupational injuries in agriculture. Public Health Reports. 116: 235-248. Malmberg A, Simkin S, Hawton K (1999) Suicide in farmers. British Journal of Psychiatry 175: 103-105. Marotz-Baden R (1988) Income, economic satisfaction, and stres in two-generation farm families. Family and Economic Issues 9: 331-355. Marotz-Baden R, Mattheis C (1994) Daughters-in-Law and Stress in Two Generation Farm Families. Family Relations 43: 132. Mather C, Lowther T (2003) Farm Injury in Tasmania. AustralianJournal of Rural Health 9: 209-217. McCurdy S, Carroll D (2000) Agricultural Injury. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 38: 463-480. McKenzie, Fiona (1994) Regional Population Decline in Australia: Impacts and policy implications. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra Melberg K (2003) Farming, stress and psychological well-being: The case of Norwegian spouses. Sociologia Ruralis 43: 56-76. Mellow M (2005) The work of rural professionals: Doing the GeminschaftGesellschaft Gavotte. Rural Sociology 70: 50-69. Mitchell RJ, Franklin R C, Driscoll T R, Fragar L J (2002) Farm-related fatalities involving children in Australia, 1989-92. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health 25: 307-314. Nishimura M, Terao T, Soeda S, Nakamura J, Iwata N, Sakamoto K (2004) Suicide and occupation: further supportive evidence for their relevance. Progress in Neuro.Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry 28: 83-87. NOHSC (1998) Work-related Traumatic Fatalities in Australia, 1998 to 1992: Summary Report. NOHSC, Canberra, Page A, Fragar L (2002a) Suicide in Australian farming, 1988-1997. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 36: 81-5. Page A, Fragar L (2002b) Suicide in Australian farming, 1988-1997. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 36: 81-5. Panelli, Little J, Kraack A (2004) A Community Issue? Rural Women 's Feelings of Safety and Fear in New Zealand. Gender, Place and Culture 11: 445-467. Parr H, Philo C, Burns N (2004) Social geographies of rural mental health: experiencing inclusions and exclusions. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 29: 401-419. Parr H, Philo C (2003) Rural mental health and social geographies of caring. Social & Cultural Geography 4: 471-488. Parslow RA, Jorm A F (2000) Who uses mental health services in Australia? An analysis of data from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 34: 997-1008. Peck D, Grant S, McArthur W, Godden D (2002) Psychological impact of foot-andmouth disease on farmers. Journal of Mental Health 11: 523-531. Pentinnen J (1995) Back pain and the risk of suicide amongst Finnish farmers. American Journal of Public Health 85: 1452-1453. Pickett W, Hartling L, Brison RJ, Guernsey JR (1999) Fatal work-related farm injuries in Canada 1991-1995. Canadian Medical Association Journal 160: 18431848. Pickett W, King W, Lees R, Bienfeld M, Morrison H, Brison R (1998) Suicide mortality and Pesticide Use Among Canadian Farmers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 34: 364-372. Roberts RE, Lee ES (1993) Occupation and the prevelence of major depression, alcohol, and durg abuse in the United States. Environmental Research 61: 266-278. Sanne B, Mykletun A, Moen B E, Dahl A A, Tell G S (2004) Farmers are at risk for anxiety and depression: the Hordaland Health Study. Occupational Medicine (Oxford) 54: 92-100. Schnaiberg A (1980) The Environment:From Surplus to Scarcity. Oxford University Press, New York Simkin S, Hawton K, Fagg J, Malmberg A (1998a) Stress in farmers: a survey of farmers in England and Wales. Occupational & Environmental.Medicine. 55: 729734. Simkin S, Hawton K, Fagg J, Malmberg A (1998b) Stress in farmers: a survey of farmers in England and Wales. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 55: 729734. Stallones L, Beseler C (2002) Pesticide poisoning and depressive symptoms among farm residents. Annals of Epidemiology 12: 389-394. Stanyer, R (1994) Adjustment of Family Farms. Australian Bura. Canberra, Australian Bureau of Agricultural Economic Swisher RR, Elder G H, Jr., Lorenz F O, Conger R D (1998) The long arm of the farm: how an occupation structures exposure and vulnerability to stressors across role domains. Journal.of Health.& Social.Behavior. 39: 72-89. Thomas HV, Lewis G, Thomas D R, Salmon R L, Chalmers R M, Coleman T J, Kench S M, Morgan-Capner P, Meadows D, Sillis M, Softley P (2003a) Mental health of British farmers. Occupational & Environmental.Medicine. 60: 181-185. Thomas HV, Lewis G, Thomas D R, Salmon R L (2003b) Mental health of British farmers. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 60: 181. Thurston W, Blundell-Gosselin H (2005) The farm as a setting for health promotion: results of a needs assessment in South Central Alberta. Health & Place 11: 31-43. US Department of Labor (1999) National census of fatal occupational injuries, 1998. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington DC Veitch PC (1995) Anticipated response to three common injuries by rural and remote area residents. Social Science & Medicine 41: 739-745. Von Essen S, McCurdy SA (1998) Health and Safety Risks in Production Agriculture. West J Med 169: 214-220. Wallace C, Abbot P, Lancshear G (1996) Women farmers in south-west England. Journal of Gender Studies 5: 49-62. Weigel R, Weigel D, Blundall J (1987) Stress, Coping, and Satisfaction: Generational Differences in Farm Families. Family Relations 36: 45-48. Wilkinson,R. Entry, retirement, and sucession strategies of Victorian Woolgrowers: a qualitative study. Report . 2005. Epsom, Department of Primary Industries. Ref Type: In Press
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Perseverance In The Kalcevic Family
    • 646 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Perseverance In The Kalcevic Family

    The common thread that ties more than a century of wheat farming together in the Kalcevic family is perseverance. With agriculture experience that starts with memories of feeding team horses to hitch to moldboard plows to prepare the fields for planting, brothers Jim and John Kalcevic’s farming story is one of family, innovation, and most importantly, perseverance. As the third generation of Kalcevic Family Farms, Jim and Johnny have seen the agricultural industry transform from an enterprise of “Just wanting to feed your own family,” says Jim, to quite literally helping to provide food for the world. When asked how they have been able to keep the family business successful through five generations, Jim and Johnny are in agreement: honor…

    • 646 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Chapter 2 Outline and Key Terms
    • 2022 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Chapter 2 Outline and Key Terms

    The modern retreat from the farm is a reversal of humanity’s first turn to agriculture.…

    • 2022 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In The Strawberry Fields Analysis
    • 332 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In The Strawberry Fields Analysis

    Schlosser also addresses the high number of migrant workers working today, as well as being the poorest workers in the United States. Yet, Schlosser does not touch on the health risks that represent working in the fields. I plan to emphasize more on the health risks that are present in the everyday life of a migrant farm working. I will discuss how pesticides have a negative effect on the life of workers, but also to their families. Children of farm workers are at a greater risk of having health risks because of their high exposure to pesticides. Sociological implications that come along with doing this research are or might be the constant demand that [we] consumers make to the agricultural companies, to supply us with fresh fruits and vegetables. This not only has a negative impact in the industry but also to the farm workers. The pressure that consumers places upon the industries makes them produce more and use more harmful chemicals that affect the lives of farm workers but also to those living…

    • 332 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Mount Vernon
    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Mount Vernon

    Driving into Mount Vernon reveals a lively downtown wonderland with family restaurants on every corner, and bars with their bright flashing beer promotions in the windows tempting every man and woman to enter and enjoy a cool beer. These bars raise farmers on pedestals of alcohol induced happiness to attempt to suppress the complications mother nature throws their way. From raging floods, to dust filled droughts farmers meticulously tend to their land and livestock with a stubborn unwillingness to allow nature to have its way. Day in and day out rugged boots plow through mud filled pastures chasing down a stubborn ewe, or repairing yet another broken fence. The farmers pride rules them and forces them to stay in their own bubble oblivious to the world outside of corn and livestock. It is this pride that restricts farmers from ever leaving the corn that has gripped them so tightly. While citizens of other towns go out, travel, enjoy a nice long break from work, farmers have to stay home and milk the cows, repair the newest broken fence, or harvest the crops. It is nearly impossible for a farmer with livestock to ever escape their home, because their home can’t survive without them.…

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Mhf Module1 Mental Health Worksheet
    • 772 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Mhf Module1 Mental Health Worksheet

    The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has an approximate area of 245 thousand square kilometers (UNO, 2008). The life expectancy at birth is 77 years for males and 82 years for females (UNO, 2005-2010). The healthy life expectancy at birth is 71 years for males and 82 years for females (UNPD, 2010). It is in the High income group (based on 2010 World Bank criteria). The total expenditure on health as a percentage of gross domestic product is 9.36% and the per capita government expenditure on health (PPP int. $) is $2457.0 (WHO, 2006). The suicide rate for males is 10.1 per 100, 000 population and for females is 2.8 per 100, 000 population. Neuropsychiatric disorders are estimated to contribute to 31.4% of the global burden of disease (WHO, 2008).…

    • 772 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Did The Great Depression Affect Families
    • 1302 Words
    • 6 Pages

    How Did The Great Depression Affect Families

    Although suicide rates rose severely there were other threats to people that caused death. For instance, "Cardiovascular and renal diseases (36.7%), cancer (8.6%), influenza and pneumonia (9.1%), tuberculosis (6.3%), motor vehicle traffic injuries (2.4%), and suicide (1.4%)" (see bibliography # 5). For some people living in a time with higher death rates was scary. But sadly,for some it was a relief they wouldn’t have to endure another day in this…

    • 1302 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    United Farm Workers Cesar Chavez
    • 549 Words
    • 3 Pages

    United Farm Workers Cesar Chavez

    Their jobs can eventually subject them to health problems resulting from pesticide exposure, deplorable housing conditions, workplace abuse, and a series of other issues. These farmers who work to feed the U.S., especially California, struggle even to provide a meal for their own families let alone everyone else's’. Many of the times these workers are young adults or even children; in all cases, the farm workers are excluded from important national labor protections that other workers possess. The role of farm workers is one of the most vital jobs, and yet it is also one of the most dangerous and least adequately compensated. Farm workers in California earn between $12,500 to $14,000 a year for individuals and $17,500 to $19,999 for a…

    • 549 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Misconceptions And Stereotypes Of American Ranchers In America
    • 2028 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Misconceptions And Stereotypes Of American Ranchers In America

    This truth can affect a specific group because of some individuals that once made or continue to make poor choices. Yet the majority of the group at times will endure some sort of judgment and this can affect how they are most often perceived by the rest of society. Even though the majority of ranchers do not act so foolishly as others do, there are the few that give these hard honest workers a bad name. These men that do the unnecessary wreak havoc on the environment and even at times may harm their animals. By committing such grossly acts, the ranchers with harmful choices spray chemicals to enhance crops or carelessly use pesticides for any invasive species trying to ingest crops. These pesticides can contaminate soil, water sources, and other vegetation. Adding on to that, killing insects or any varmints, pesticides can be very toxic to a host of other organisms which include birds, insects, fish, and plants. Insecticides are frequently the most heavily toxic type of pesticides, but herbicides can also be a risk to any organisms that weren’t targeted. The enhancement of crops and usage of pesticide can betray the FDA guidelines which ultimately can affect a person's health. In a written article called Effects of Pesticides on Human Health by Toxipedia it is mentioned, “Pesticides are designed to kill and because their mode of action is not specific to one species, they often kill or harm organisms other than pests, including humans. The World Health Organization estimates that there are 3 million cases of pesticide poisoning each year and up to 220,000 deaths, primarily in developing countries. The application of pesticides is often not very precise, and unintended exposures occur to other organisms in the general area where pesticides are applied. Children, and indeed any young and developing organisms, are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticides. Even very low…

    • 2028 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gun Suicide Research Paper
    • 126 Words
    • 1 Page

    Gun Suicide Research Paper

    suicide epidemiologist at the University of Bristol in England. There may be no red flags and…

    • 126 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Social Determinants Of Health (SDOH)
    • 1563 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The Social Determinants Of Health (SDOH)

    National Rural Health Alliance INC. (2015, April 7). Mental Health in Rural and Remote Australia. Retrieved from National Rural Health Alliance: http://ruralhealth.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/fact-sheet-mental-health-2015.pdf…

    • 1563 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Cumnor in the 1860s: How Far Did Dependence on Agriculture Shape Its Social Structure?
    • 5546 Words
    • 23 Pages

    Cumnor in the 1860s: How Far Did Dependence on Agriculture Shape Its Social Structure?

    Winstanley, Michael. ‘Agriculture and Rural Society.’ A Companion to Nineteenth-Century Britain. Williams, Chris (ed). Blackwell Publishing, 2004. Blackwell Reference Online. 25 January 2010…

    • 5546 Words
    • 23 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    The Baby Boom Era Impact
    • 4478 Words
    • 18 Pages

    The Baby Boom Era Impact

    The increasing number of elderly individuals is largely impacting the healthcare personnel and the industry itself. Apart from the problem of trying to provide qualified health physicians for patient treatment, new perspectives are coming up and they will significantly modify the healthcare industry. The new perspectives will modify the manner in which health services are received and provided. In addition, recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals (i.e. Doctors, nurses, midwifes, medical assistants, nurse practitioners, hospital personnel, etc.) has become crucial to enhancing access to medical services especially to the aging and underserved population in the United States.…

    • 4478 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Mental Health Funding
    • 4122 Words
    • 17 Pages

    Mental Health Funding

    One common theme found in the mental health care industry is the deficiency of acknowledgement, in terms of overall health status and the well-being of the people involved. The consequence and cause to this is the fact that mental health research is poorly funded and developed due to politics, the economy, and stigma. Even with the limited imbursement given, money is being spent with limited value and accountability (Bhattacharya et all. 2001). Despite all this, mental health is not even considered near to the same degree as importance as physical health, so its neglectfulness results in this area of public health to be poorly studied; hence suffering people who don’t receive treatment to its full potential (World Health Organization, 2003).…

    • 4122 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Populist DBQ
    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Populist DBQ

    Documents A-H reveal some of the problems that many farmers in the late nineteenth century(1880-1900)saw as threats to their way of life.(a)explain the reasons for agrarian discontent and(b)evaluate the validity of the farmers' complaints.…

    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Some of the problems that many farmers in the late nineteenth century(1880-1900)saw as threats to their way of life(a)explain reasons for discontent(b)evaluate the validity of the farmers' complaints
    • 664 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Some of the problems that many farmers in the late nineteenth century(1880-1900)saw as threats to their way of life(a)explain reasons for discontent(b)evaluate the validity of the farmers' complaints

    Documents A-H reveal some of the problems that many farmers in the late nineteenth century(1880-1900)saw as threats to their way of life.(a)explain the reasons for agrarian discontent and(b)evaluate the validity of the farmers' complaints.…

    • 664 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics