Farming men responding to hardship with social connection: A photovoice project on masculinities and positive mental health
Philippe Roy, Sophie Parent, Roxanne Fay, Ginette Lafleur, Bruno LetendreBackground:
The health and well-being of men raise significant social issues, particularly concerning depression, psychological distress, and suicide, with concern especially pronounced among male farmers. Previous research has primarily focused on risk factors, highlighting the influence of traditional masculinity on the valorization of hard work, excessive autonomy, as well as the stigmatization of mental health issues and the reluctance to seek help. However, the connections between protective and health-promoting factors and masculinity remain largely unknown. This study aimed to better understand the practices of masculinity that contribute to positive mental health among farmers.
Methods:
This photovoice research used photographs taken by the participants and shared in focus groups to initiate reflection and discussion on their motivations, social support, personal strengths, and environmental factors. Online recruitment in Quebec (Canada) enabled us to reach 31 farmers who were divided into six focus groups that met twice. The focus groups were co-facilitated by a researcher and a retired farmer. The interview transcripts were then inductively analyzed.
Results:
The results highlight that positive mental health is associated with interpersonal relationships; connection to the land, farm animals, and pets; travel and leisure; and farm activities. The discussion section suggests alignment toward traditional or caring masculinity to overcome the multiple challenges of farming life.
Conclusion:
This study underscores the value of offering farmers a platform to express their emotions, discuss the impact of traditional masculinity on their well-being, and explore alternative masculine practices. It also facilitates for further discussion on caring masculinity, aiming to better understand and support men in farming while also exploring its potential relevance to other agricultural groups.