(WITHDRAWN) Pandemic Stress on the Farm: Farmers Concerned about the Emotional Impact of COVID-19

Background: Farming is isolating, high-stress work, with among the highest suicide rates of any occupation; elevated risks of suicide and emotional distress are linked to financial, health, relational, and environmental challenges. Despite these risks, social work scholars have not focused research on this vulnerable population.

COVID-19 has significantly exacerbated farmers’ stress, through market uncertainties, input costs, supply chain disruptions, and labor issues. While negative impacts of COVID-19 on farmer wellbeing have been documented, little has been done to specifically identify farmers most concerned about the emotional toll COVID-19 is taking on them. As the pandemic and other international events continue, knowing key socio-demographic and business characteristics of these farmers may help guide targeted outreach/support efforts, strategically using scarce helping resources in rural areas. This study seeks to identify factors associated with farmers’ high levels of concern about the emotional impact of COVID-19.

Methods: Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey design, with a convenience sample (N=743) recruited through one state’s agricultural newsletters and websites. Surveys gathered information on: demographics; impact of COVID-19 on specific crops and aspects of farm business; farmers’ needs as a result of COVID-19; and farmers’ levels of concern regarding health, financial, and emotional impacts of COVID-19. The outcome examined in this study was a dichotomous measure of farmers’ concern about the emotional impact of COVID-19. A logistic regression model examined associations with farmers’ concern about the emotional impact of COVID-19. This study was reviewed and approved by the lead author’s university IRB.

Results: Most participants were male (66.5%), white non-Hispanic (90.2%), married (82.9%), with a bachelor’s degree or more (60%), and annual household income between $50,000-$200,000 (61.8%). The logistic model showed that farmers who reported mental health resource/service needs were nearly six times as likely to report being very concerned about the emotional impact of COVID-19 (OR=5.90,p< .001). Married farmers were also more likely to report being very concerned about COVID-19’s emotional impact (OR=1.96,p< .05), as were those who had field crops (e.g. cotton, peanuts) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (OR=1.86,p< .01). Farmers who anticipated financial losses (OR=2.57,p< .02) and who reported being concerned about financial impacts of COVID-19 (OR=2.05,p< .01) were also more likely to report being very concerned about COVID-19’s emotional impact. Farmers with household incomes between $50,000-99,999 were less likely to report being very concerned about the emotional impact of COVID-19 than those in lower income brackets (OR=0.28, p< .05). Last, farmers concerned about getting COVID-19 were more likely to report being very concerned about COVID’s emotional impact (OR=8.80,p< .001).

Conclusions and Implications: There are numerous factors that are associated with farmers’ concerns about COVID-19’s impact on their emotional wellbeing. Additional, localized, community-focused research may be needed to best understand these relationships. Our findings may inform social work practice and outreach efforts in three ways: 1) Improving the delivery of specific information on mental health resources/ services. 2) Prioritizing outreach to farmers who are married, farm row crops, or are lower income-bracket; 3) Providing assistance that addresses financial losses due to COVID-19.