Gender Based Recovery Strategies of Post Flood Victims, Evaluative Survey in Kelantan, Malaysia 2015

Abstract

December 2014, we saw our nation battling one of the largest catastrophes it has ever faced. With more than 25 million people rendered homeless, almost one thousand suffered and had left with a lot of damages. The magnitude of the disaster can be gauged from the fact that at one point, there was uncountable worst affect of Flood on the most areas of Perak, Pahang and Kelantan. Still these areas needed support, economically, socially, morally and psychologically for better recovery. Our Study was focused on evaluation of coping strategies adapted by flood victim for recovery from the anxiety, sadness and trauma after disaster. We investigated their emotional state and their coping strategies for better recovery and rehabilitation. For this Survey Research the City Kelantan was visited by clinical Psychologist, counselors and students of University of Pendidikan Sultan Idris. We selected randomly (N=40) affected people (Female=19), (Male=21) with different age level (30 -60 years) in the Main area of Kuala Krai (Feb 2015), after taken their personal consent, we administered Demographic characteristic form and COPE Scale (Carver, 1999), with 14 sub scale of coping response, with short interview related their current psychological state of mind. Results revealed that they have greater level of subjective stress and depression still after two months of disaster event. People have great level of fear and depression (75%) about their lost of home and belongingness. Coping scale indicate that there is still high need of emotional and social support. Female have high level of response on sub scale of seeking emotional support, religion, venting of emotions and behavioral disengagement. Man most respond on active planning, acceptance and suppression of competing activities. Response revealed denial, anger, mental disengagements, drug use and negative coping responses.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n1s1p11