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The impact of economic stress on health functioning among farm men and women as mediated by individual and social processes
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship of the "farm crisis" to mental and physical health in farm couples. A stress model was used to: (a) identify individual, familial, and social support characteristics which differentiated individuals in their reported health symptoms; and (b) develop a model which could be used to understand the processes that relate financial stress to health. Participants were randomly selected from county plat maps on the basis of the following criteria: (a) They were actively farming; (b) They resided at least 60 mi (96 km) from a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area; and (c) Both members of a couple agreed to participate. Potential participants received a cover letter explaining the nature of this study. The letter was followed by a telephone call inviting them to participate. Forty-one farm couples completed questionnaires and interviews. Both men and women reported higher mean levels of mental and physical health symptoms than normative populations. Multiple regression procedures revealed that financial and social support measures were not predictive of health. However, subjective stressors, coping styles, and family environment measures were associated with health. Path analyses explained 61% of the variance in reported health for women, but only 28% for men. Different models were necessary for women and for men. Individual coping processes were better predictors of health for the men. Stress predicted reduced social support for the women. Subjective stressors and family relationships were strong predictors of health for both men and women. The present findings extend previous farm stress research by employing a comprehensive conceptual model and by exploring gender differences in farm couple cohorts. The data highlight the high levels of distress being experienced by farm couples as well as the importance of farm family relationships in the moderation of negative health outcomes under stressful conditions.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy|Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
Recommended Citation
Jordan, Stephen A, "The impact of economic stress on health functioning among farm men and women as mediated by individual and social processes" (1989). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9004680.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9004680