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

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Agricultural Health

Background:

• Suicide is a global public health concern, with farmers facing elevated risks due to financial instability and isolation.
• Suicidality among Austrian farmers has not been previously studied, necessitating research into this specific demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare suicidal ideation rates between Austrian farmers and the general population.
• To identify sociodemographic, occupational, and behavioral risk and protective factors for suicidality in Austrian farmers.

Main Methods:

• Online surveys were conducted from October 2024 to February 2025.
• The PHQ-9 and Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) were used to assess suicidal ideation and suicidality.
• Chi-square tests and logistic regression models, adjusted for age and gender, were employed for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Austrian farmers exhibited significantly higher suicidal ideation (19.7%) compared to the general population (14.3%).
• Key risk factors for farmers included financial distress, high agricultural workload, and residing in Eastern Austria.
• Physical activity outside of work and being in a relationship were identified as protective factors.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms increased suicidal ideation among Austrian farmers, underscoring the impact of financial and occupational stressors.
• Interventions should address financial instability, workload, and promote social support and physical activity within farming communities.
• Understanding the interplay of economic and psychosocial factors is crucial for mitigating farmer suicidality.