When Cowboys (& Their Families) Get the Blues Randy R. Weigel, Ph.D. University of Wyoming Farm and Ranch Days Fremont County February 16, 2006 Riverton, Wyoming

Studies during the 1980’s and 1990’s found the impact of the farm crisis and economic hardship triggered 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),

Impact of Financial Stress on Families 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 rural America. 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 themselves than admit they are depressed”

Ag. Families’ Reluctance to Seek Help 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 the hell out of the hell the family goes through after a family member commits suicide 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 in Rural America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Parent’s Social Connections “You know everybody. If some- thing happens, you can interrupt someone at their home…. Most likely they know your parents or you know them.” Boy in senior class

Relationships with Grand- parents “I guess he’s always been supportive of me, wanting me to go to college. My parents got on my back for getting Bs and 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 church night—everyone went to their youth groups.” High School Girl, small town

School Involvement “Sports made me realize how hard you have to work if you want to get somewhere someday.” Boy from displaced farm family

Identify with Dads “Strong ties to father are a significant factor in the over- all resilience of Iowa youth and they play an important role in reducing 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

re_Main.html Recovering from Natural Disasters B-1103B-1103 Men and Depression B-1104B-1104 Agriculture and Skin Cancer: What You Should Know B-1105B-1105 Lenders and Angry Customers B-1113B-1113 Surviving Tragedy B-1117B-1117 Men Seeking Help B-1134B-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 will continue to battle.” Rancher & Cancer Survivor