Journal of NACAA

Exploring Coping Strategies Among West Virginia Farmers

ISSN 2158-9429

Volume 19, Issue 1 - June 2026

Editor: Bindu Poudel-Ward

Abstract

While farmer stress and mental health have always been important, they are emerging as substantial issues driving Extension programming across the country. Significant research has been conducted in the general population and various subgroups related to productive versus unproductive stress coping. Farmers, however, are often reluctant to participate in educational programming or research when the topic is listed as “stress” or “mental health.” This project aimed to gain insight into farmers coping strategies for service professionals to develop appropriate and effective content to reach the farming population. Responses of 301 farmer surveys were analyzed for primary, secondary, and tertiary coping strategies. Participants were sorted based on gender and age to compare coping scores in each category. While there were differences among various age groups, overall, the most used coping strategies of both males and females were Religion (an emotion focused coping strategy) and Planning (a problem focused coping strategy). Females consistently indicated higher usage of all strategies than males and avoidant coping strategies were utilized the least for both males and females.

The use of active coping strategies increase a farmers perceived sense of control and emotional strategies support relationships and a greater sense of purpose. The degree to which an individual copes by addressing or avoiding perceived stressors depends upon their view of available coping resources as well as their assessment of whether the situation is manageable or uncontrollable (Kavanagh, 1986). Extension professionals and other service providers can support farmers by recognizing the signs of distress, providing helpful resources, and supporting productive coping strategies.