Battling the black dog on farm: sleep deprivation and stressors in agriculture

The mental health of farmers has become an area of concern, due to an elevated risk of mental health problems in comparison to the general population. The unique physical and mental demands of farming can influence sleep quality, stress and depression. There remains a significant gap in the literature evaluating what unique stressors farmers may experience in relation to work-related pressures and types of farming industries. A sample of 148 farmers (aged 23-82 years) completed an online survey that recruited farmers from Australia. Results showed that sleep deprivation was a key predictor of stress and depression for farmers. Financial hardship and isolation were significant farm stressors that predicted psychological stress. Comparisons of farmer types demonstrated differences in mental health and occupational demands. This study presents new directions for intervention with risk and protective factors for mental health in farming, including targeting sleep deprivation and farmers susceptible to financial distress. These results have important implications for clinical intervention and program initiatives for farmers experiencing sleep deprivation and financial hardship.