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