Farmers’ psychosocial work environment and mental health
What are the psychosocial challenges confronting agricultural workers today – and how do they affect their mental well-being? This report explores key stressors, protective factors and evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice.
About the publication
This systematic literature review, published in January 2023 by the Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise, synthesises 108 peer-reviewed articles from 2005–2021 on farmers’ psychosocial work environment and mental health . Drawing on 4227 records (2192 abstracts, 321 full texts) and appraised with the MMAT and AMSTAR instruments, it maps key risk factors, mental-health outcomes and resilience strategies.
Authors
Peter Lundqvist, professor in work science at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Carita Håkansson, associate professor in health sciences at Lund University
Karin Hakelius, doctor in agronomy at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Catharina Alwall Svennefelt, PhD, has contributed by working on the literature search at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Robin Gullstrand, librarian at Lund University, oversaw the literature search on behalf of the Agency.
Cecilia Waldenström, PhD, has reviewed the quality of the systematic literature review on behalf of the Agency.
The responsible process manager at the Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise was Thomas Nessen, PhD.
A publication from the Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise
This publication was produced by the Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise. In January 2026, the Swedish Work Environment Authority took over its mandate as the national knowledge centre for work environment issues. All of their publications are available on our website.
Last updated 2026-01-01