Abstract
Objective: This major paper and the embedded study investigate and discuss whether or not agricultural workers in the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor (ASBC) Costa Rica are being affected by sun/ heat exposure contributing to poor mental health/ psychological health outcomes. If so, to what extent are work environment conditions such as sun/ heat exposure contributing to poor mental health/ psychological health outcomes in workers? In addition, what other exposure variables in the ASBC may affect these mental health outcomes? How does this apply to an agricultural business sustainability context and climate change context? Methods: Observational mixed methods survey, retrospective cross-sectional study. Results & Conclusion: This investigation is the first known agricultural worker mental health study to be conducted within the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor (ASBC). The use of the K6 psych test provided a good standardised method for investigating the potential occurrence of mental health distress among workers. Continuous direct sunlight exposure was not found to be directly associated with the occurrence of overall mental health distress and mental health/ psychological health outcomes. However, other variables such as sex, breaks taken at work, sleep, and work organization type, appear to be more strongly associated with the experience of mental health distress or mental health related feelings within the 3 ASBC communities of Santa Elena, Quizarra and Montecarlo, and thus warrants further investigation. More importantly, female workers appear to be at an increased risk of experiencing mental health related issues compared to men and should be the primary target population for any future policy or business sustainability intervention. These interventions might include: 1. Supporting the uptake of more staff to offset any labour shortages as well as provide more time off for workers to reduce general fatigue and improve the total sleep hours and rest periods available for agricultural workers. 2. Supporting activities that promote self-worth among workers by allowing for more autonomy in decision making at work among work organization members. 3. Investing more resources into gender equity programing to improve female agricultural worker mental health outcomes. 4. Increasing technological uptake supports available (ex: government subsidies) for business to improve farm output efficiency, improve operational bottom line, reduce mental health distress occurrence potentially caused by over work.

A copy of this MRP is available through the YorkU Space website