Understanding suicide in Australian farmers.
OBJECTIVE
Male farmers in Australia have an elevated risk of suicide. The aims of this study were to investigate the rate of mental health problems amongst farmers compared with non-farmer rural residents and to investigate what additional factors might contribute to an increased risk of suicide amongst farmers.


METHODS
This study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. First, using self-report questionnaire data, we compared rates of mental health problems (a common correlate of suicide) and a number of personality measures between farmers (n=371) and non-farming rural residents (n=380). In addition, semi-structured interviews with farmers (n=32) were used to gain a richer understanding of how the context of farming and mental health interact.


RESULTS
Five key findings emerged from the study. First, in the quantitative study, we found no support for the proposition that farmers experience higher rates of mental health problems than do non-farmer rural residents, but we identified potentially important personality differences between farmers and non-farmers, with levels of conscientiousness being significantly higher amongst farmers and levels of neuroticism being significantly lower. A strong association between maleness and farming was also found. In the qualitative study, participants indicated that farming is an environment in which individuals experienced a range of stressors but have limited capacity to acknowledge or express these. In addition, there appeared to be significant attitudinal barriers to seeking help for those who may have mental health problems, particularly male farmers.


CONCLUSIONS
The elevated rate of suicide amongst farmers does not seem to be simply explained by an elevated rate of mental health problems. Individual personality, gender and community attitudes that limit a person's ability to acknowledge or express mental health problems and seek help for these may be significant risk factors for suicide in farmers.
Judd
Fiona
F
Centre for Rural Mental Health, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine and Bendigo Health Care Group, Monash University School of Psychology, PO Box 126, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia. Fiona.judd@med.monash.edu.au
Jackson
Henry
H
Fraser
Caitlin
C
Murray
Greg
G
Robins
Garry
G
Komiti
Angela
A
D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*