Depression and Risk Factors Among Iowa Farmers

Abstract

SUMMARY Previous studies have reported high rates of depression and suicide for farmers compared to other occupations. From a representative sample of 390 Iowa farmers in the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Survey, we found that 12.1− of Iowa principal farm operators had depressive symptoms based on a cut-off point of 16 on a standardized questionnaire for depressive symptoms (the CES-D Scale). A weighted multiple logistic regression model yielded the following risk factors for depressive symptoms: had legal problems (adjusted odds ratio = 7.35, 95− confidence interval = 3.09-17.48); not married (3.89, 1.10-13.73); sentimental value loss (2.96, 1.03-8.54);substantial income decline (2.91, 1.67-5.06); and decline in general health assessment compared with the excellent health group [very good and good group (3.39, 0.82-14.06) and fair and poor group (5.41, 1.89-15.43)].