Development of the Farm Stress Survey: Factorial Structure, Reliability, and Validity

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop and test a psychometrically sound measure of farm stress. The responses of 362 farmers were used to investigate the factorial structure, reliability, and validity of the Farm Stress Survey (FSS). A factor analysis of the survey's 28 items resulted in six interpretable, reliable factors. These factors were utilized in regression analyses to predict life satisfaction, emotional strain, and illness frequency. Personal finances and time pressures were the most significant predictors of the criterion variables.