Author: Aiman Javed
Supervisor: Ms. Afifa Anjum
Degree: MPhil
Year: (2009 – 2011)
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present study explored the coping strategies frequently used by flood victims and the consequent positive or negative post disaster psychological adjustment. It was hypothesized that: a) there would be significant difference in the psychological adjustment of the flood victims in terms of positive and negative post disaster psychological adjustment; the positive and negative post disaster psychological adjustment would be predicted by different types of coping strategies and c) there would be significant gender differences in the use of coping strategies. Survey research design was employed and non probability purposive sampling was used to draw a sample of 65 participants (men n = 32 and women n = 33) from the flood affected districts of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur. Demographic Information Questionnaire, Post Traumatic Growth Inventory, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and Coping Strategies Questionnaire were used to assess demographic information, positive adjustment, negative adjustment and the coping strategies respectively. Ethical issues were not violated. Results indicated more negative adjustment in the flood victims than positive. Positive adjustment was predicted by frequent active practical coping and less frequent active distracting coping and negative adjustment was predicted by being woman, less number of children, presence of pre-disaster employment and less frequent religious focused coping. Men had significantly high scores on active practical coping and religious focused coping. These findings may help us in understanding the psychological needs of flood victims more deeply and these victims may do better psychologically if they are guided about right and appropriate coping strategies.
Keywords: coping strategies, flood victims, post disaster psychological adjustmen
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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
