Suicidality Among Austrian Farmers: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Disparities Compared to the General Population.

Abstract

Objective: Suicide is a significant global public health issue, with occupations like farming-marked by financial instability and isolation-facing elevated risks. Despite international evidence, suicidality among Austrian farmers remains unstudied. This study compared suicidal ideation between Austrian farmers (n = 2,006) and the general population (n = 2,007), while identifying sociodemographic, occupational, and behavioral risk factors of suicidality in farmers.

Method: Data were collected via online surveys (October 2024-February 2025), utilizing the PHQ-9 for suicidal ideation and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) for suicidality and analyzed with Chi-square tests and logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender disparities.

Results: Farmers reported significantly higher suicidal ideation (19.7%) than the general population (14.3%; χ² = 20.62, p < .001), with 1.4 times greater age- and gender- adjusted odds (95% CI:1.17-1.64). Key risk factors for suicidality in farmers included financial distress (very poor vs. very good: aOR = 2.64, p = .008), high agricultural workload (aOR = 1.01/hour, p = .03), and residing in Eastern Austria vs. Western Austria (aOR = 1.76, p = .003). Protective factors included physical activity outside work (aOR = 0.65, p = .005) and living in a relationship (aOR = 0.61, p = .024).

Conclusions: This study highlights increased suicidal ideation among farmers compared to the general population. Financial instability, high workload, regional differences, physical activity, as well relationships seem influential. Community-based interventions promoting social support and physical activity may mitigate risks, highlighting the interplay of economic and psychosocial factors in farmer suicidality.