Depression, Anxiety, and Coping Strategies Among Farmworkers Exposed to Substance Use at Work.

Abstract

Objective: Migrant farmworkers are at an increased risk of experiencing high levels of stress, depression, anxiety, and problematic substance use. Farmworker behavioral health is a predominant concern for agricultural health and safety efforts. While substance use has been found to be a visible part of the work environment among farming populations, there is scarce information about how farmworkers who are exposed to substance use at work are impacted.

Methods: This exploratory assessment investigated the association between substance use exposure at work and migrant farmworkers' (N = 58) symptoms of depression, anxiety, and coping strategies used. Univariate, bivariate, and regression analyses were conducted to examine data from a survey administered to migrant farmworkers in Southern California's Riverside and Imperial Valley counties.

Results: Exposure to substance use at work was significantly associated with farmworkers reporting more severe symptoms of anxiety (p = .018). We also found that anxiety among farmworkers was significantly related to their experiences of sexual harassment (p = .026), being called names or insulted (p = .05), feeling unsafe (p = .005), having an increased work burden (p = .001), and caring for a colleague (p = .001). Furthermore, as exposure to substance use at work increased, farmworkers reported more severe symptoms of depression (F (1,45) = 7.90, p = .007) and anxiety (F (1,45) = 16.743, p = .001). To cope, the farmworkers in our sample reported using emotion-focused coping strategies most often.

Conclusions: Substance use exposure at work can affect migrant farmworker health and safety. Addressing and supporting the behavioral health of the entire farming community is warranted.