Coping Strategies for the Flood Disaster Practiced by
the
Pekauman
Community in Sidoarjo
Regency
Nurul Charisna
1
, Hamidah
2
and Moh. Adib
3
1
Postgraduate School, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya,
Indonesia
2
Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya,
Indonesia
3
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
Copyright
c
2018 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
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.
f.
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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