University of Georgia Study Finds Women Farmers Can Be Prone to Binge-Drinking

A team of scholars at the University of Georgia have conducted a study that found a pattern of binge-drinking among women farm owners and managers. The project, led by Christina Proctor, clinical assistant professor in the College of Public Health, was conducted by surveying 987 farmers from across the United States about their stress levels and coping behaviors. The results found that although women were less likely than men to report alcohol use, when they did report it, it was more likely to be binge-drinking. The study also found women farmers have significantly higher levels of stress.

Compared to other industries, workers in farming and agriculture tend to experience more stress. Dr. Proctor’s study is the latest in her overarching investigation into understanding stress in the farming industry with a goal of helping farmers deal with their stress in healthy ways.

“We have to figure out a way to support our female farmers, because they are a part of the future,” said Dr. Proctor.

Dr. Proctor received a bachelor’s degree in health promotion and behavior, a master of public health degree, and a Ph.D. in health promotion and behavior from the University of Georgia.

The full study, ““The Intersection of Gender and Occupational Roles in Agriculture: Stress, Resilience, and Alcohol Behaviors of US Farmers,” was published on the website of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. It may be accessed here.