Farm Families in Times of Crisis: Drought, Health and Family Decision-Making

This proceeding presents a study of the effects of drought on rural farm families in Australia during the 1990s. A discussion of unique social characteristics in this population & the influences these may have on crisis coping strategies is included. Case study analyses indicate that crop failure (due to climactic conditions) imply a lack of hard work by farmers, increasing shame & stigma felt by farmers. This may account for increases in suicidal ideation, although none of the case study participants personally reported an increase. (35 refs) (SC)