when cowboys (& their families) get the blues randy r. weigel, ph.d. university of wyoming farm...
TRANSCRIPT
When Cowboys(& Their Families) Get the Blues
Randy R. Weigel, Ph.D.University of Wyoming
Farm and Ranch DaysFremont County
February 16, 2006Riverton, Wyoming
Studies during the 1980’s and 1990’s found theimpact of the farm crisis and economic hardshiptriggered personal and social pathologies including high levels of stress-related illnesses, hypertension and psychiatric disorders, depression, diminished life satisfaction, marital discord, alcoholism, and even suicide.
Ortega, S., Johnson, D., Beeson, P., & Craft, B. (1994). The farm crisis and mental health: A longitudinal study of the 1980s. Rural Sociology, 59(4), 598- 619.
Impact of Financial Stress onFamilies
Economic Pressure
Parent’s Emotional Distress
Deteriorating Marital Relations
Decreased Quality of Parenting
Adolescent Maladjustment
Conger, R., & Elder, G. (1994). Families in troubled times: Adapting to change in ruralAmerica. New York: A. de Gruyter.
Effect of Tragedy on People
Effects on Thinking
Effects on Emotions
Effects on Behavior
Effects on Worldview
Men Seeking Help
“Where do Cowboys go to Cry?”
* Men’s Upbringing* Traditional Counseling
Men and Depression
“Men would rather kill themselvesthan admit they are depressed”
Ag. Families’ Reluctance to SeekHelp for the BLUES
* reputation * lack of knowledge
* solve own problems * upbringing
* perceived as lazy * perceived as ill
* distrust of help * pride
“Going for help beats thehell out of the hell the family goes through aftera family member commitssuicide or homicide.”
Robert J. Fetsch Family Therapist
The Road to Resilience
Resilient Ranch/Farm Families are Survivors—not Victims.
Traits of Survivors
* Internal Locus of Control * Self-Confidence
* Optimism * Hardiness * Flexibility
Strategies for Resilience
• Preparing & Anticipating• Previous Success• Greater Use of Resources• Uniting as a Family• Expect to Recover• Take Advantage of Help
Resilience in Farm and Ranch Families
• Parents’ Social Connections• Relationships with Grandparents• Work – Chores & Paid• Involvement in Church• School Involvement• Identify with Dads• Avoiding Trouble
Elder, G., & Conger, R. (2000). Children of the land: Adversity and success inRural America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Parent’s Social Connections
“You know everybody. If some-thing happens, you can interruptsomeone at their home… . Mostlikely they know your parents oryou know them.”
Boy in senior class
Relationships with Grand-parents
“I guess he’s always been supportiveof me, wanting me to go to college. Myparents got on my back for getting Bsand Cs. He just said, ‘Good job kid. Keep it up.’ ’’
Grandson
Work -- Chores & Paid
“The job comes first, before friends.”
Teenage boy, Iowa
Involvement in Church
“Thursday night was churchnight—everyone went to theiryouth groups.”
High School Girl, small town
School Involvement
“Sports made me realize how hard you have to work if youwant to get somewhere someday.”
Boy from displaced farm family
Identify with Dads
“Strong ties to father are asignificant factor in the over-all resilience of Iowa youth andthey play an important role inreducing the chance of vulner-ability.”
Rand Conger, book author
Avoiding Trouble
“If I did something wrong, my father hears about it at the coffee shop the next morning.”
An Iowa farm youth
http://www.uwyo.edu/ces/LIFE/Personal_Nature_Main.html
Recovering from Natural Disasters B-1103 Men and Depression B-1104
Agriculture and Skin Cancer: What You Should Know B-1105 Lenders and Angry Customers B-1113
Surviving Tragedy B-1117
Men Seeking Help B-1134
Vital Beliefs for the Future
* “Refuse to be the victim”
* “Believe that life is significant and has purpose.”
Vital Beliefs (cont.)
* “Embrace the crisis”
* “Believe that others share my troubles and my hope.”
* “Believe the future is worth seeing.”
“Anyone can give up…
But only the strong willcontinue to battle.”
Rancher & Cancer Survivor