Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1983. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-183).

Among the changes farm families have faced during the past two decades has been the dramatic increase in off-farm employment. Historically, women's involvement has been essential to the functioning of the family farm, and as off-farm income has increased in importance, increasing numbers of farm women have joined the ranks of those employed in off farm jobs. Using phone survey data collected during the 1988-89 year, the objectives of this study were (1) to identify the variables which may predict farm wives' off-farm employment status, and the resulting direct and indirect effects of their employment status on their satisfaction with farming as a way of life, and (2) to assess the direction and strength of the relationships. Guided by the Deacon and Firebaugh (1988) family systems framework, path analysis was used to estimate the relationships among the variables. The path model was estimated and examined using LISREL 8 on the covariance matrix. A low chi-square and high goodness-of-fit index suggested that no significant difference existed between the observed covariance matrix and the model-implied matrix; however, many of the parameters in the model had low values. Because the model did not explain the ultimate variable, satisfaction with farming as a way of life, well, several explanations were explored. None of the model modifications estimated provided a better fit to the data, nor did they result in better path coefficients. However, splitting the sample into large and small farm subsamples answered some important questions. When small (net farm income of $10,000 or less) and large farm samples were examined, results revealed significant differences on a number of variables and correlations. An analysis of the path model for small farms produced poor R�� values, but the R�� for wife's off-farm employment level was slightly improved over the initial model with the full sample. The analysis of large farms indicated that the model provided better explanatory power with large farms than with either the small farm or full sample when focusing on the ultimate variable, satisfaction with farming as a way of life. / Graduation date: 1996

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Many American farmers have faced financial stress in the early 1980s unprecedented since the Depression. Simultaneously, farm wives have joined the off-farm labor market at rates exceeding urban women. Since prior research has found different correlates of family functioning and of external employment for rural and urban families, this descriptive study of Virginia farm wives (N = 128) investigated the impact of farm wives' external employment on the functioning of the farm and the farm family. While the sample did not represent the total Virginia farm population, it did appear to represent the financially stressed farm population. A comparison of employed farm wives (E = 57) and non-employed wives (N = 71) was analyzed to determine differences. Dependent variables affecting farm functioning included the farm's debt-to-asset ratio indicating the financial _ stress level, the wife's mental strain due to economic pressures, and lifestyle satisfaction. Dependent variables affecting family functioning were the wife's marital adjustment, psychological well being, and overall life satisfaction. The results indicated that the wife's external employment had a significantly negative impact on farm functioning. Wives working off the farm were more likely to come from farms with greater financial stress and were less satisfied with the equity factor of their lifestyle satisfaction. While mental strain was not significantly higher, more than one-third of employed wives experienced high mental strain. A significantly negative impact on family functioning was not found although employed farm wives reported lower marital adjustment and overall life satisfaction with proportionately fewer employed farm wives than nonemployed wives reporting positive psychological well-being. / Master of Science

The purposes of this study were: (1) to present a picture of the home-management aspect of a selected group of Farm Security families, {2) to picture in more detail the clothing and dietary problems of these families, (3) to determine whether family life is satisfying to this selected group of Farm Security women, (4) to ascertain the stability of the family members, and (5) on the basis of these findings, to make suggestions for helping Farm Security families to more satisfactory living. / Master of Science