Research Topic

The health and well-being of men raise significant social issues, particularly concerning depression, psychological distress, and suicide. In this regard, the situation of farmers is particularly worrisome. Previous research has primarily focused on risk factors, highlighting the influence of traditional masculinity on the valorization of hard work, excessive autonomy, as well as the stigmatization of mental health issues and the reluctance to seek help. However, protective and health-promoting factors remain largely unknown. This project aims to better understand what contributes to the health and well-being of farmers.

Agricultural communities are going through challenging times that affect the mental health of farmers. They exhibit rates of psychological distress and suicidal ideation twice as high as the provincial average. From an ecosystemic perspective, it is possible to identify risk factors such as economic crises, trade agreements unfavorable to local farmers, tensions among neighbors, difficult farm transfers, animal diseases, workload overload, social isolation, lack of succession, and the devaluation of agriculture. Thus, risk factors receive considerable attention. However, health promotion remains underexplored, although it is necessary for a better understanding of the continuum between illness and health. Therefore, the research question is: what contributes to positive mental health among farmers? Particular interest is placed on elements of masculinity that support positive mental health.

Methodology

This project sought the active participation of the agricultural community at every stage, turning the research into a lever for the empowerment of the involved group. To address the research question, the qualitative method Photovoice was chosen. Through photographs taken by the participants, they initiate reflection and discussion on their motivations, social support, personal strengths, environmental factors, etc. The relevance of this method is recognized for addressing sensitive themes or working with more traditional men unaccustomed to verbalizing their experiences. Content analysis will highlight the gender dimension and interaction with other social determinants of health.

Online recruitment enabled the assembly of 31 Quebec farmers, divided into six discussion groups, each meeting twice. To ensure diversity in experiences and perspectives, a group with English-speaking farmers (n=5) and two groups with gay farmers (n=7) were formed. The discussion groups were facilitated by Philippe Roy, researcher, and Bruno Letendre, farmer. This co-facilitation created a safe environment in which participants shared their motivations and challenges in agriculture.

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcomes aim to better understand how farmers adapt to challenges and adverse conditions to maintain and promote positive mental health. This virtual gallery serves to disseminate the results to the wider population. The findings will undergo analysis based on masculine socialization in an agricultural context. The results will be shared with professionals in psychosocial intervention for farmers and the scientific community through publications and conferences. Students are integrated into the entire project, allowing them to become acquainted with this original method as well as knowledge transfer and dissemination.

Researcher’s Presentation

Philippe Roy, Ph.D., is an associate professor at the School of Social Work, University of Sherbrooke. His research and teaching interests encompass mental health promotion, dimensions of sex and gender, particularly masculinities, social work in rural settings, and working with Indigenous communities. He is actively involved in the Primary Care Research Institute in Health and Social Services, Community Development axis, the Pole of Expertise and Research in Men’s Health and Well-being, and the network of specialists in sex and gender at the Institute of Gender and Health. Additionally, he is an accredited trainer for the ‘Intervening with Men’ training program.

Partnership Research Supervision Committee & collaborators