Cultural Counseling Prototype Based on Ruwatan Values for Enhancing Community Well-Being Post-Flood Disaster

Ashari Mahfud; Anisatul Latifah; Indah Lestari; Muslikah Muslikah; Cecily Bishops

doi:10.18326/pamomong.v6i1.3888

Authors

Ashari Mahfud Universitas Negeri Semarang
Anisatul Latifah Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung
Indah Lestari Universitas Negeri Semarang
Muslikah Muslikah Universitas Negeri Semarang
Cecily Bishops Darling Height State School

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18326/pamomong.v6i1.3888

Keywords:

Counseling, Culture, Ruwatan, Well-Being, Disaster

Abstract

Flood disasters inflict not only physical and economic damages but also profoundly affect community well-being, particularly in the psychological, social, and spiritual domains of students. A culturally grounded approach holds strategic promise for facilitating post-disaster recovery in Indonesia. This study aims to investigate the values embedded within the ruwatan tradition as a conceptual basis for developing a culturally relevant and adaptive counseling prototype designed to enhance the well-being of students impacted by floods in Central Java, Indonesia. Employing an exploratory qualitative methodology, the research engaged 20 purposively selected participants as data sources. Data collection involved in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and document analysis of ruwatan practices within local communities. Thematic data analysis was performed through an interpretative lens using Nvivo software. Findings reveal that ruwatan values—comprising inner purification, social reconciliation, and transformation—can be synthesized into a three-stage cultural counseling prototype: contextual assessment, symbolic-narrative intervention, and reflective exploration of post-disaster life meaning. These outcomes suggest the importance for school counselors to integrate local wisdom values when fostering psychological well-being in disaster-affected populations.

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