Between the Farm and Family: A Cross-Sectional Survey on Work–Family Conflict in Farmers in Ireland

Siobhán O’Connor (), Anna Donnla O’Hagan, Hannah Casey, Annie O’Connor, Mark Creegan, Alison Stapleton, Louise McHugh, Tomás Russell and Sinéad O’Keeffe
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Siobhán O’Connor: School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, D09V209 Dublin 9, Ireland
Anna Donnla O’Hagan: School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, D09V209 Dublin 9, Ireland
Hannah Casey: School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, D09V209 Dublin 9, Ireland
Annie O’Connor: School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, D09V209 Dublin 9, Ireland
Mark Creegan: School of Psychology, University College Dublin, D04V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland
Alison Stapleton: School of Psychology, University College Dublin, D04V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland
Louise McHugh: School of Psychology, University College Dublin, D04V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland
Tomás Russell: School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, D04V1W8 Dublin 4, Ireland
Sinéad O’Keeffe: School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, D09V209 Dublin 9, Ireland

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: Farming is a uniquely demanding occupation, with family and work often deeply intertwined. Whilst this integration is common amongst the agricultural sector in Ireland (99.7% farms classified as family), it can lead to a conflict of responsibilities, but this has not been examined to date. Therefore, this study aimed to examine work–family conflict (WFC) in farmers in Ireland, and if WFC differs based on socio-demographic factors, mental health, social support and farm-specific stressors. A cross-sectional study examined WFC in 446 farmers in Ireland. Depression, anxiety, stress, suicidality, general mental health, psychological flexibility, cognitive fusion, self-experience, perceived social support, farm stress and attachment were also measured. Participants reported moderately high levels of WFC (25.1 ± 7.2). Being younger, male, having children aged 5 years or less, higher reported working hours on the farm, higher farm-specific stressors, and lower psychological flexibility contributed to higher WFC. In addition, lower social support, mental health and psychological skills were significantly associated with higher WFC. Future research should consider the integrated nature of work and family in farm life and use a qualitative approach to further understand gendered experiences of WFC.

Keywords: work–life balance; family farming; role overload; farming stressors; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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