"It's Easier to go to the Beer Store Than Ask for Help": A Qualitative Exploration of Barriers to Health Care in Rural Farming Communities

Farming is a challenging occupation, not only due to its physical and mental demands but also its sensitivity to environmental, sociocultural, and policy changes. Because of external stressors and often an internal drive to succeed, farmers in rural areas have high rates of prescription drug use, ex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of rural mental health 2023-04, Vol.47 (2), p.104-113
Main Authors: Hopkins, Noah, Proctor, Christina, Muilenburg, Jessica Legge, Kershaw, Trace
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult Attitudes
Agricultural Workers
Agriculture
Communities
Female
Health Care Seeking Behavior
Health Care Services
Human
Male
Mental Health Services
Rural Environments
Rural Health
Treatment Barriers
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Summary:Farming is a challenging occupation, not only due to its physical and mental demands but also its sensitivity to environmental, sociocultural, and policy changes. Because of external stressors and often an internal drive to succeed, farmers in rural areas have high rates of prescription drug use, excessive alcohol use, depression, and suicide. Past research has not focused extensively on help-seeking behaviors in the farming community. This study explored perceived barriers to seeking and receiving physical and mental health care in rural farmers. In-depth interviews (30 min-1 hr) were conducted with full-time rural Georgia farmers (n = 15) in 10 counties throughout the state. Thematic analysis identified themes and patterns in transcribed interview recordings. Four main themes were identified that related to barriers to accessing care: (a) cultural norms in the farming community; (b) normative beliefs about health care in the farming community; (c) stigma around mental health in the farming community; and (d) formal health care concerns. Future programs that address cultural norms, normative beliefs, and stigma associated with health care should be coupled with policy changes to increase access to health care in rural areas. Public Health Significance Statement This article identifies sociocultural norms in rural farming communities that create unique barriers to accessing health care beyond the formal health care concerns commonly found in rural areas.
ISSN:1935-942X
2163-8969
DOI:10.1037/rmh0000224