Anxiety, Depression and the Identification of Stressors Experienced by Mexican Migrant Farmworkers in the Midwest

This study assessed the prevalence levels of anxiety & depression in a sample of Mexican migrant farmworkers in the northwest Ohio/southeast Michigan area. Workers were asked open-ended questions about the stressors in their life. A content analysis revealed 17 stressors, over half of which were identified by at least one-fourth of the sample. The overall sample reported elevated levels of anxiety & depression. Females revealed greater anxiety than males. Factors that may protect against distress in this population include effective social support, healthy self-esteem, family support, religion, & control & choice in the decision to live a migrant lifestyle. It is suggested future research should more directly explore suicide risk among migrant farmworkers. (4 refs.)