By Jamie Martin
A recent study published in the Journal of Agromedicine has highlighted the mental health struggles of farm women, pointing to the "triple burden" they face: managing farm work, household duties, and childcare. These combined responsibilities lead to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among women in agriculture.
Farm women play a crucial role in the agricultural sector, yet their mental health challenges have been largely overlooked. Previous research has primarily focused on male farmers, leaving a significant gap in understanding the stressors experienced by women. This study, led by Florence Becot from Penn State, aims to fill that gap by exploring how farm women’s responsibilities intersect with mental health issues.
The research found that the "triple burden" not only contributes to emotional stress but also affects farm safety. Raising children on farms, often romanticized in the media, can be dangerous, and the lack of affordable childcare further exacerbates these issues. While much of the safety literature focuses on children, the mental toll on parents, particularly mothers, is often neglected.
The study's findings emphasize the need for agricultural policies and interventions that go beyond individual safety knowledge to address systemic issues like childcare availability. The data was gathered through focus groups with farm women in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Vermont, and included a photovoice activity.
Overall, the research calls for more inclusive mental health interventions for farm women, focusing on structural changes in the agricultural community, including better access to childcare services.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: National