Mental health among farmers in Germany: a scoping review

Farmers are exposed to various stressors, including economic uncertainty, climate variability, and regulatory burdens, all of which can negatively impact their mental health. While international research has documented elevated rates of mental illness among farmers, little is known about the mental health status of farmers in Germany. This scoping review aims to synthesize current scientific knowledge on mental health outcomes among farmers in Germany.

A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews and following the Population Concept Context (PCC) framework. Inclusion criteria were: (a) language: English or German, (b) publication between 2014 and 2024, (c) original study, (d) population: farmers (at least 50% within the study population), (e) concept: mental health and (f) context: Germany. Web of Science and Google Scholar were chosen as databases, complemented by expert input and reference checking of relevant studies.

Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria: six cross-sectional studies, three randomized controlled trials, and two qualitative studies. The outcomes reported were: depressive symptoms, anxiety and burnout symptoms, sleep disorders and perceived stress. Identified stressors linked to the outcomes included economic difficulties, bureaucratic pressure, climate-related challenges, and family conflict. However, most studies showed methodological limitations and heterogeneity regarding definitions and instruments. No data were found on suicide among German farmers.

Compared to international research, evidence on mental health of farmers in Germany remains limited. The few mental health findings among German farmers align with those from international studies. Further epidemiological studies and context-specific interventions are needed to address mental health of farmers in Germany.

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