Article
Psychological Experiences and Coping Strategies of Bajo Women Fishers in Facing Climate Change in Kendari
Jurnal Sublimapsi, Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026), hlm. 33–45
Abstrak
This study is motivated by the emergence of various forms of potentital emotional discomfort and psychological chalenger experienced by Bajo fisherwomen as they confront climate change, which disrupts fishing rhytms, household income, and ecological security in coastal areas. This research aims to understand the psychological experiences and coping strategies used by Bajo fisherwomen in responding to increasingly unpredictable environmental changes. Six fisherwomen aged 35-65 years who reside in the coastal area of Kendari were recruited between May and Ocotber 2025 through purposive sampling and met the criteria of being actively involved in fishing or seafood processing activities. A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed to explore the meaning of the participants lived experiences in depth. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, environmental observations, and field notes, and were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns related to emotional impact, psychological burden, and forms of adaptation. The finding indicate that climate change has triggered anxiety about safety at sea, economic pressure, a sense of loss duet o declining income and shifting marine conditions, as well as physical and emotional exhaustion. Participants developed spiritual, relational, and culturally grounded coping strategies, including acceptance, family support, and communal solidarity practice. These findings highlight the importance of culturaly informed mental health interventions and community-based support to strengthen the resilience of coastal women in facing climate change.