Examining the Relationship Between Stress, Barriers to Healthcare, and Alcohol Use in the US Agricultural Community

Abstract

Objective: Farming is a high-risk, physically challenging occupation. Considering farmers report high stress and barriers to seeking healthcare, it is important to understand factors influencing alcohol use to tailor interventions and healthcare resources for alcohol use in rural areas.Methods: An online survey was distributed to the agricultural community in the United States (n = 1045). Data was collected through QualtricsXM, and SPSS 28.0 was used for data analysis.Results: Both formal healthcare challenges (β = 0.112, p =.004) and stigma (β = 0.328, p