A Cross-Sectional Study on Mental Health Burden Among Austrian Farmers: Sociodemographic, Work-Related, and Health Behavior Factors

Background and Aims: Although previous studies point to a high mental health burden in farmers, little is known about mental health in Austrian farmers, especially about factors associated with poor mental health. Methods: We assessed mental health in Austrian farmers and explored potential risk factors for poor mental health. A total of N = 2006 farmers (38.5% women; 61.4% men; a distribution closely mirroring the Austrian farming population) with a mean age of 45.04 ± 10.31 years took part in an online survey from October 2024 to February 2025 in which validated screening tools for symptoms of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), sleep disorders (ISI-2), perceived stress (PSS-4), and alcohol abuse (CAGE) were applied. Gender, alongside other sociodemographic, work-related, and behavioral variables, was included as a predictor in multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: We found that higher adjusted odds for exceeding cut-offs for clinically relevant mental health symptoms were associated with female gender, younger age, single individuals, physical inactivity outside the profession, smartphone usage, higher working hours, and financial insecurity. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study highlights the complex interplay between sociodemographic factors, work-related variables, and health behaviors in determining the mental health outcomes of Austrian farmers. Targeted interventions that address risk factors, such as promoting physical activity and providing business/economic support, could help mitigate the mental health challenges faced by farmers.

Donau-Universität Krems-Universität für Weiterbildung Krems
FFoQSI GmbH