Coping Strategies for the Flood Disaster Practiced by

the

Pekauman

Community in Sidoarjo

Regency

Nurul Charisna

, Hamidah

and Moh. Adib

Postgraduate School, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya,

Indonesia

Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya,

Indonesia

Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Airlangga , Surabaya,

Indonesia

Key

words: Coping, Strategies, Disaster, Flood, Community.

Abstract: The flood that happened in 2016 in Pekauman Village in Sidoarjo Regency, which was caused by the high

rainfall intensity, has negatively affected the community since it damaged tens of houses and stopped the

community’s economic activities. The objective of this study was to analyse behaviours, factors, and

benefits of the coping strategies practiced by the local community in Pekauman, Sidoarjo in mitigating the

flood disaster. This qualitative phenomenology study is important to find out the capacity of the coping

strategies in dealing with and mitigating the disaster. The three respondents were chosen using the

purposive sampling technique since they share similar characteristics: head of the family/housewife, aged

between 30 – 70 years old, employees/entrepreneurs with high school or bachelor’s degree educational

background; local residents; and good communication skill as well as their willingness to provide the

information related to the topic of the research. The data were collected through observation and in-depth

interviews with an open and structured process according to the list of interviewees and analysed based on

data selection and presentation. The result showed that 6 out of 8 coping strategies were able to help the

local community deal with and mitigate the flood disaster and they were confrontative, problem-solving

planning, self-control, diversion, positive assessment, accountability acceptance, and avoidance. By using

these coping strategies, the community was able to deal with the stress caused by the disaster and to seek

ways to deal with the problems during the flood. The working together coping strategy, which cannot be

found in Lazaruz and folkman (1984) theory, is also needed by the community to deal with and

mitigate the flood disaster.

1 INTRODUCTION

Floods often occur in Sidoarjo due to its

geographical location and the lack of dam

construction. Sidoarjo is flanked by two major

streams of the Brantas River, namely the Surabaya

and Porong, which are the downstream of the

Brantas River Basin, and they empty into the

Madura Strait. The downstream that splits into two

forms the Delta where most of the Sidoarjo region is

located in. Moreover, Sidoarjo Regency is

influenced by the tides of sea because it is located

next to the Madura Strait. It is also topographically

low and flat, and this geographical condition causes

risks of floods in Sidoarjo Regency.

Behavior occurs because of the process of

interaction with the environment. As a result,

behavior is closely related to the environment.

Behavior is formed from the environment in which

one lives. Due to the frequent occurrence of floods,

the community must have knowledge of behaviors,

methods, or strategies in dealing with emergencies

caused by floods.

The community’s strategy in dealing with the

floods is referred to as “coping strategies.”

Specifically, Lazarus & Folkman (1984) defined

coping as the cognitive and behavioral efforts made

by an individual to manage external and internal

demands which occur due to the individual’s

relationship with the environment that may

compromise the individual’s boundaries, particularly

boundaries which are related to the individual’s

welfare.

The research took place in Pekauman Village of

the district of Sidoarjo. This highly-populated

village is in the heart of Sidoarjo. It is the center of

834

Charisma, N., Hamidah, . and Adib, M.

Coping Strategies for the Flood Disaster Practiced by the Pekauman Community in Sidoarjo Regency.

DOI: 10.5220/0007552408340838

In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference Postgraduate School (ICPS 2018), pages 834-838

ISBN: 978-989-758-348-3

economy which boasts large number of small and

medium enterprises and shops. However, this village

is located in lowland area, and a vast river flows

through the village. Floods occur every year in this

area, which causes the community to possess coping

strategies in dealing with the floods.

The research questions based on the background

of problems explained before are:

a. How is the knowledge of the local community in

Pekauman Village of Sidoarjo Regency in

dealing with emergency caused by floods?

b. How is the behavior of the local community in

Pekauman Village of Sidoarjo Regency in

dealing with emergency caused by floods?

c. What are the forms, factors, dynamic processes,

and benefits of coping strategies which emerge

in the local community in Pekauman Village of

Sidoarjo Regency in dealing with emergency

caused by floods?

2 LITERATURE VIEW

Disaster definition according to United Nations

Development Program (UNDP, 1992) is a serious

disruption of the functioning of a society, which

causes major losses to the environment, material and

human beings, which exceeds the ability of the

affected community to cope with only using

community resources themselves.

According to (Bakornas PB, 2007), based on the

water source, excessive water can be categorized

into four categories:

a. Flooding caused by heavy rain that exceeds the

capacity to channel water drainage systems

consisting of natural river systems and man-

made drainage systems.

b. Flooding caused by an increase in water level in

the river as a result of sea tides and the rise of sea

waves due to storms.

c. Flooding caused by failure of man-made water

structures such as dams, dams, dikes, and flood

control buildings.

d. Flooding due to failure of natural dams or

blockage of river flow due to collapse / collapse

of river cliffs. When blockages / dams cannot

withstand water pressure, the dam will be

destroyed, stagnant river water flows swiftly as

flash floods.

e. When the flood comes to the community

settlement, the attitude of the character of the

community in dealing with it does not panic,

because they are used to having this problem

every year. The only thing they did was to accept

the events and they kept things in a safe place

such as electronic items were placed on top of a

closet and closed the road access so that road

users did not pass through their flooded

residential areas, because if road users pass

through their settlements the floodwaters will

push into their settlements.

Coping strategies according to (Folkman, 1984)

are cognitive and behavioral forms of business

carried out by a person to regulate internal and

external demands arising from an individual's

relationship with the environment which is

considered to interfere with the limits of the

individual. The intended coupling is composed of

specific thoughts and behaviors that are used by

individuals to regulate the demands and pressures

arising from the individual's relationship with the

environment, especially those related to welfare.

Coping is an individual response to overcome a

problem, the response is in accordance with what is

felt and thought to control, tolerate and reduce the

negative effects of the situation at hand (Baron &

Byrne in Rasmun, 2004).

3 RESEARCH METHODS

This research used qualitative research design and

phenomenological approach. The researcher chose 3

informants who are relevant to the research

problems with the following criteria:

a. Native people of Pekauman Village of the

Sidoarjo Regency.

b. Victims of floods in Pekauman Village of

Sidoarjo Regency.

c. Head of household / housewife aged between 30

to 70 years old.

d. Employees / businesspeople.

e. High school graduates or graduates of bachelor

degree.

f. Able to communicate well.

Data were collected through interviews,

observations, and documents. Data were analyzed

through some stages, namely data selection and data

presentation. The credibility of the research results

was achieved using triangulation method. Finally,

the conclusion was drawn, and the data were

verified.

Coping Strategies for the Flood Disaster Practiced by the Pekauman Community in Sidoarjo Regency

835

4 RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION

a. 1st Informant

Main Threat:

(Siltation occurred in the river located within the

settlement of Pekauman Village. Almost all areas

in the village are vulnerable to floods, starting

from RW 1 (citizens association) Pandean area,

RW 2 Pekauman area, and RW 3 Ndaleman area.

However, the worst damage in RW 1 Pandean

area occurred in RT 1 (neighborhood

association), and the worst damages in RW 2

Pekauman area happened in RT 4 and RT 6.

Disadvantages:

(The economic activities stopped; people did not

dare to go outside or used their vehicles because

they were worry the vehicles would break down;

people did not conduct business because the

locations were flooded),

Plans to solve problems in order to avoid stress:

(Avoid rushing to take action; divert the

problems by chatting with families; learn that

disaster is a test to train patience.

b. 2nd Informant

Main Threat:

(Shallow river and no river dredging. Areas

vulnerable to flooding are the areas of

Pekauman, Pandean, Jetis, Lemah Putro, and all

other areas near the river).

Disadvantages:

(Nothing, since the floods did not reach the

house of the second informant due to the fact that

the house had been renovated/elevated).

Plans to solve problems in order to avoid stress:

(Securing electricity in order to prevent short

circuit, lifting goods for safekeeping, continuing

other activities)

c. 3st Informant

Main Threat:

(The river, the areas of Kauman, Pandean, Jetis,

and Lemah Putro).

Disadvantages:

(No financial aid from the local government).

Plans to solve problems in order to avoid stress :

(Accepting the problems by singing, studying the

Holy Book, and remain grateful).

4.1 Knowledge of the Local

Community in Pekauman Village of

Sidoarjo Regency in Dealing with

Emergency Caused by Floods

Local people know that river will overflow and the

excess water will flow into the settlement. The factor

of the floods is the lack of normalization of the river,

so the vast river near the settlement is getting

shallower. People also do not throw garbage into the

river anymore because they realize that the river is

getting shallower due to the accumulation of garbage

at the bottom of the river. People of upper middle

class renovate their house to elevate the buildings

where as the people of lower class choose to make

wooden barrier to close the door. Moreover, the

people in the community also annually hold

community service to prevent the increase of floods

every year.

4.2 Behavior of the Local Community

in Pekauman Village of Sidoarjo

Regency in Dealing with

Emergency Caused by Floods

Actively securing the electronic goods, food, and

clothes by storing them on the second floor when he

sees puddles of water in front of his house; asking

help from family to ensure that there is no loss due

to the floods; passively sitting at the living room

since the house has been renovated and elevated so

that no water will come into the house; walking

outside to overcome stress by chatting with the

neighbours.

4.3 Forms of Coping Strategies of the

Local Community in Pekauman

Village of Sidoarjo Regency in

Dealing with Emergency Caused by

Floods

The form of coping strategies is mostly similar

across various informants because the floods cover

the entire areas of settlement. The forms of coping

strategy that do not emerge in the 2nd informant are

the strategy of seeking social support and the

strategy of self-control, while in the case of the 3rd

informant, the form of coping strategies that does

not emerge is the strategy of seeking social support.

The forms of coping strategies of 1st informant

which emerge in Problem-Focused Coping are being

confrontational, seeking social support, and planning

problem-solving solutions whereas the forms of

ICPS 2018 - 2nd International Conference Postgraduate School

836

coping strategies which emerge in Emotional-

Focused Coping are self-control, diversion, positive

judgment, acceptance of responsibility, and

avoidance.

4.4 Factors that Influence Coping

Strategies of the Local Community

in Pekauman Village of Sidoarjo

Regency in Dealing with

Emergency Caused by Floods

4.4.1 Physical Health

Physical health is an important thing because to cope

with stress, individuals are required to exert

considerable amount of energy. For instances, when

the floods hit and continue for days, the people of

Pekauman Village are expected to exert considerable

amount of energy in implementing coping strategies

in phases before, during, and after the floods.

In the phase before the floods, they renovate

their houses and elevate the front part of their house.

In the phase during the floods, they move their

valuables, staple food, and clothes to a higher place.

In the phase after the floods, they clean their houses

which are full of mud and garbage due to the floods.

Therefore, it can be concluded that physical

health is very much needed as the factor of coping

strategy within the community in Pekauman Village

of Sidoarjo Regency in dealing with floods.

4.4.2 Positive Belief/Outlook

The belief in fate which might cause the individuals

to feel helpless will degrade the people’s ability in

implementing coping strategies. The people of

Pekauman Village see this issue as a problem that

they are accustomed to facing, and they become

resigned to the flooding problem.

4.4.3 Problem-Solving Skills

This includes the ability to seek information,

analyze situations, identify problems with the aim of

generating alternative actions, then consider those

alternatives with respect to the targeted outcomes.

The way the community solves the problem is by

seeking information to the relevant agencies to cope

with the floods so that the water does not enter their

house.

4.4.4 Social Skills

These skills include the ability to communicate and

behave in ways appropriate to the social values

prevailing in society, as well as when they relieve

stress they do not care about the flood, what they do

is that chatting with their neighbours.

4.4.5 Social Support

This includes support for the fulfilment of the

information and emotional needs within the

individuals, which can be provided by the parents,

other family members, relatives, friends, and the

surrounding community. For example, the people of

Pekauman Village exchange information to

overcome the problems that they face. For instance,

in order to prevent the wave of floods from entering

the house, they block the road with wooden chairs so

that vehicles do not pass through the road.

4.4.6 Material

Factors that affect coping strategies are resources in

the form of money, goods or services that can

usually be purchased. The people of Pekauman also

need materials in the process of forming coping

strategies, particularly when they are trapped in the

houses that are flooded or due to inaccessible road.

As what has been experienced by the 2nd informant,

when the floods hit, he/she prefers to order and

purchase fast food online.

4.5 Processes and Dynamics that Form

Coping Strategies of the Local

Community in Pekauman Village of

Sidoarjo Regency in Dealing with

Emergency Caused by Floods

Flood is not considered as a stressor because it often

hits the area every year, so the people are used to

such conditions. Second, past experiences in similar

situations make the people more confident in

overcoming their own problems and the

environment. For example, when floods come, they

have already prepared coping strategies to deal with

the floods by securing valuables to a higher place,

managing their mindset to think positively, and

learning from the problem that they face.

Coping Strategies for the Flood Disaster Practiced by the Pekauman Community in Sidoarjo Regency

837

4.6 Benefits of Coping Strategies

Formed by the Local Community

in Pekauman Village of Sidoarjo

Regency in Dealing with

Emergency Caused by Floods

The people are much better prepared in dealing with

the flood and are able to cope with the problems and

pressure that they face. For example, floods that

continue for days do not make them feel stressed but

make them more patient instead.

5 CONCLUSION

a. All three informants exhibit active behaviors in

dealing with emergency caused by the floods.

For example, they secure valuable items,

electricity to prevent short circuit, refrigerator

and television to prevent contact with water.

b. If viewed from economic and educational point

of view, there are various degrees of behaviors.

From the economic perspective, the 2nd

informant had renovated and elevated his house

before the floods hit as a form of strategy.

Meanwhile, from the perspective of higher

education (in this case, bachelor degree), the 1st

and 2nd informants requested the local

government to provide water pumps to move the

water into the water storage tanks as their

strategy.

c. The people of Pekauman Village implement

almost all forms of coping strategies. In

Problem-Focused Coping, the strategies are

being confrontational, seeking social support,

and planning problem-solving solutions whereas

in Emotional-Focused Coping, the strategies are

self-control, diversion, positive judgment,

acceptance of responsibility, and avoidance.

d. Factors that influence coping strategies are

physical health, positive belief/outlook, problem-

solving skills, social skills, social support, and

materials.

e. The processes and dynamics which form coping

strategies are (1) the floods are not considered as

stressor because floods often hit the area every

year; (2) past experiences in similar situations

make the people more confident in overcoming

their own problems and the environment.

The benefit of coping strategies formed by the

people of Pekauman Village is that the people

can overcome the stress and find the solutions to

overcome the problems in dealing with

emergency caused by the floods.

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