title: The relaxed livestock farmer: The effect of coping strategies and leisure activities on farmer wellbeing and stress

authors: Schriber-Hannah, Cathleen

subjects: Farmers

abstract: Farmers experience higher levels of stress and low wellbeing compared to non-farmers. This can be attributed to experiencing general stressors, such as interpersonal disagreements, and farm-specific stressors, such as severe weather events. Previous research has found coping strategies reduce stress and improve wellbeing. However, it is not known how coping strategies and leisure activities affect the wellbeing and stress of farmers in Aotearoa New Zealand. The research questions explored what leisure activities farmers use to unwind, how leisure activities and coping strategies affected wellbeing, and whether coping strategies moderated the relationship between stressors, wellbeing, and stress. 131 participants completed a questionnaire measuring wellbeing, stress, coping, leisure, and farm stressors. A content analysis grouped leisure activities and barriers into meaningful groups. A paired samples t-test found farmers significantly prefer to engage in more leisure activities than they engaged in currently. A hierarchical regression found the coping strategies, behavioural disengagement (b = 2.18, t = -3.48, p < .01) and self-blame (b = -0.81, t = -2.01, p = .05), significantly and negatively predicted wellbeing. Finally, a moderation analysis found Social Coping moderated the relationships between farming finance and wellbeing (ΔR² = .06, F(3, 112) = 8.39, p < .01), isolation and wellbeing (ΔR² = .03, F(3, 112) = 4.12, p = .05), and social satisfaction and wellbeing (ΔR² = .05, F(3, 117) = 8.20, p < .01). Dysfunctional Coping moderated the relationship between time pressure and wellbeing (ΔR² = .05, F(3, 103) = 8.52, p < .01) and time pressure and stress (ΔR² = .05, F(3, 105) = 10.47, p < .01). In conclusion, improving coping strategies, particularly social coping, may increase wellbeing among farmers.

text: The relaxed livestock farmer: The effect of coping strategies and leisure activities on farmer wellbeing and stress Farmers experience higher levels of stress and low wellbeing compared to non-farmers. This can be attributed to experiencing general stressors, such as interpersonal disagreements, and farm-specific stressors, such as severe weather events. Previous research has found coping strategies reduce stress and improve wellbeing. However, it is not known how coping strategies and leisure activities affect the wellbeing and stress of farmers in Aotearoa New Zealand. The research questions explored what leisure activities farmers use to unwind, how leisure activities and coping strategies affected wellbeing, and whether coping strategies moderated the relationship between stressors, wellbeing, and stress. 131 participants completed a questionnaire measuring wellbeing, stress, coping, leisure, and farm stressors. A content analysis grouped leisure activities and barriers into meaningful groups. A paired samples t-test found farmers significantly prefer to engage in more leisure activities than they engaged in currently. A hierarchical regression found the coping strategies, behavioural disengagement (b = 2.18, t = -3.48, p < .01) and self-blame (b = -0.81, t = -2.01, p = .05), significantly and negatively predicted wellbeing. Finally, a moderation analysis found Social Coping moderated the relationships between farming finance and wellbeing (ΔR² = .06, F(3, 112) = 8.39, p < .01), isolation and wellbeing (ΔR² = .03, F(3, 112) = 4.12, p = .05), and social satisfaction and wellbeing (ΔR² = .05, F(3, 117) = 8.20, p < .01). Dysfunctional Coping moderated the relationship between time pressure and wellbeing (ΔR² = .05, F(3, 103) = 8.52, p < .01) and time pressure and stress (ΔR² = .05, F(3, 105) = 10.47, p < .01). In conclusion, improving coping strategies, particularly social coping, may increase wellbeing among farmers.

year: 2023

title: Geographical education in New Zealand during the last decade

authors: Chalmers, Lex

abstract: The restructuring of the national economy of New Zealand in the last decade of the 20th century left its mark on education generally, with some quite specific consequences for geographical education in the secondary sector. This review of commentaries and research on geographical education considers debates about curriculum development, the changing assessment regime and the influence of geography educators on contemporary pedagogy.

text: Geographical education in New Zealand during the last decade The restructuring of the national economy of New Zealand in the last decade of the 20th century left its mark on education generally, with some quite specific consequences for geographical education in the secondary sector. This review of commentaries and research on geographical education considers debates about curriculum development, the changing assessment regime and the influence of geography educators on contemporary pedagogy.

year: 2003

title: A local Aotearoa New Zealand investigation of the contribution of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity and counselling practices

authors: Te Wiata, Joy

subjects: Pakeha identity

abstract: This project investigates the experiences of a small group of social service  practitioners as they consider the question of what it means to be Pakeha in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2004.  Specifically this study considers the contribution  of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity.  It also explores whether therapeutic practices that participants have available, are relevant to their current  claims of Pakeha identity.   This study highlights the complexity of experience and multiple stories that inform constructions of identity.   In approaching the topic I was aware that many  important stories of people's lived experience are not often told.  People are often silenced due to the difficulty of 'telling'.  In this exploration, space was created  for the telling of stories, which are often not easily told:  stories of struggle and pain; stories of compassionate witnessing; stories of rule-breaking; stories of  stepping into territory beyond binaries and stories of richness and delight.   Knowledges have been produced that indicate the need for carefully crafted space for often very difficult identity conversations to occur and for voices to be heard.   Further, the study has produced knowledges for scaffolding for respectful and honouring conversations .  The stories of this project indicate that the  conversations required, have their foundation through engagement with the value of fairness.  Findings also indicate that forums, where mutual contribution to  identity for both Māori and Pakeha can be acknowledged, are a critical to establishing ongoing honourable relationships between Pakeha and Māori New Zealanders.     Throughout this project participants acknowledge and honour the rich  contribution of Māori knowledges and language to their Pakeha identity.

text: A local Aotearoa New Zealand investigation of the contribution of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity and counselling practices This project investigates the experiences of a small group of social service  practitioners as they consider the question of what it means to be Pakeha in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2004.  Specifically this study considers the contribution  of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity.  It also explores whether therapeutic practices that participants have available, are relevant to their current  claims of Pakeha identity.   This study highlights the complexity of experience and multiple stories that inform constructions of identity.   In approaching the topic I was aware that many  important stories of people's lived experience are not often told.  People are often silenced due to the difficulty of 'telling'.  In this exploration, space was created  for the telling of stories, which are often not easily told:  stories of struggle and pain; stories of compassionate witnessing; stories of rule-breaking; stories of  stepping into territory beyond binaries and stories of richness and delight.   Knowledges have been produced that indicate the need for carefully crafted space for often very difficult identity conversations to occur and for voices to be heard.   Further, the study has produced knowledges for scaffolding for respectful and honouring conversations .  The stories of this project indicate that the  conversations required, have their foundation through engagement with the value of fairness.  Findings also indicate that forums, where mutual contribution to  identity for both Māori and Pakeha can be acknowledged, are a critical to establishing ongoing honourable relationships between Pakeha and Māori New Zealanders.     Throughout this project participants acknowledge and honour the rich  contribution of Māori knowledges and language to their Pakeha identity.

year: 2006