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Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms and Work Environment Factors among Dairy Farmers in Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Miho Sato

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan)

  • Hiromi Kato

    (Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan)

  • Makiko Noguchi

    (Japanese Red Cross College of Nursing, Tokyo 150-0012, Japan)

  • Hiroshi Ono

    (College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Tokyo 252-0880, Japan)

  • Kuniyuki Kobayashi

    (Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan)

Abstract

Dairy farmers are more likely than nonfarmers to experience high demands and are at risk of mental health problems. However, there is scarce evidence on the current state of psychological health and related factors among dairy farmers, and the knowledge of potential gender differences is limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and its association with work environment characteristics and to identify gender differences. Data were collected from 273 dairy farmer participants (169 males and 104 females) in Japan. Females were more likely to be depressed, and young and middle-aged women appeared to be at risk of depression. For both genders, a demanding work environment was related to depression. There were some gender differences; for example, worries about the harmful effects of pesticides on health and the balancing of family roles and work roles were related to depression in men, while worries about one’s financial situation and the health status of livestock were associated with depression in women. Females benefited from support through direct interaction, while males benefited from involvement in social activities. These findings will contribute to the development of a gender-specific approach to promote psychological health in the dairy farming community.

Suggested Citation

  • Miho Sato & Hiromi Kato & Makiko Noguchi & Hiroshi Ono & Kuniyuki Kobayashi, 2020. "Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms and Work Environment Factors among Dairy Farmers in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2569-:d:343176
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shiho Amagasa & Noritoshi Fukushima & Hiroyuki Kikuchi & Koichiro Oka & Tomoko Takamiya & Yuko Odagiri & Shigeru Inoue, 2017. "Types of social participation and psychological distress in Japanese older adults: A five-year cohort study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(4), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Sahar Daghagh Yazd & Sarah Ann Wheeler & Alec Zuo, 2019. "Key Risk Factors Affecting Farmers’ Mental Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-23, December.
    3. Charness, Gary & Gneezy, Uri, 2012. "Strong Evidence for Gender Differences in Risk Taking," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 83(1), pages 50-58.
    4. Inaba, Akihide & Thoits, Peggy A. & Ueno, Koji & Gove, Walter R. & Evenson, Ranae J. & Sloan, Melissa, 2005. "Depression in the United States and Japan: Gender, marital status, and SES patterns," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(11), pages 2280-2292, December.
    5. Nufail Khan & Alison Kennedy & Jacqueline Cotton & Susan Brumby, 2019. "A Pest to Mental Health? Exploring the Link between Exposure to Agrichemicals in Farmers and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-20, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Josie M. Rudolphi & Courtney Cuthbertson & Amandeep Kaur & Jesus Sarol, 2024. "A Comparison between Farm-Related Stress, Mental Health, and Social Support between Men and Women Farmers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Myoungjin Kwon & Sung Yun Ahn & Sun Ae Kim, 2022. "Factors Influencing Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged South Korean Workers by Job Type: A Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, November.

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