TRANSFORMASI DISABILITAS MENUJU PENGGERAK PERUBAHAN SOSIAL: STUDI KASUS POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH DI FORKOMDESI SINDUADI

Indah Dwi Sulistyowati (Fakultas Psikologi Universitas Proklamasi 45)
Fx. Wahyu Widiantoro (Fakultas Psikologi Universitas Proklamasi 45)

ACADEMIA: Jurnal Inovasi Riset Akademik
Vol. 6 No. 4 (2026)

People with disabilities are frequently viewed through a deficit lens that solely focuses on physical limitations; however, grassroots phenomena reveal individuals capable of transforming into agents of social change. This qualitative study aims to deeply explore the lived experiences of disability activists at the Sinduadi Disabled-Inclusive Village Communication Forum (Forkomdesi Sinduadi) by analyzing the psychological transition process from post-disability trauma to post-traumatic growth, identifying the manifestations of flourishing pillars in their roles as grassroots activists, and uncovering the subjective meaning-making of physical limitations as catalysts for social change. Employing a qualitative case study approach, this study involved five physical disability participants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via semistructured in-depth interviews, observations, and document reviews, and were subsequently analyzed using a case-based thematic analysis approach. The findings reveal three main themes: identity reconstruction from trauma fragmentation toward self-wholeness; the emergence of agency and generativity, characterized by the drive to contribute to others as a manifestation of social functioning at the grassroots level; and the achievement of eudaimonic well-being through the reinterpretation of life suffering. This study concludes that community social activism serves as a primary catalyst for the flourishing of individuals with disabilities, wherein past experiences of suffering are transformed into a moral authority that drives widespread social contributions. These findings provide theoretical implications for positive psychology and practical implications for designing inclusive village models grounded in internal community strengths. ABSTRAK Penyandang disabilitas sering kali dipandang melalui lensa defisit yang hanya melihat keterbatasan fisik semata, namun fenomena di tingkat akar rumput menunjukkan adanya individu yang mampu bertransformasi menjadi penggerak perubahan sosial. Penelitian kualitatif ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi secara mendalam pengalaman hidup penggerak disabilitas di Forum Komunikasi Desa Inklusi Difabel Sinduadi (Forkomdesi Sinduadi) dalam menganalisis proses transisi psikologis dari trauma pascadisabilitas menuju post-traumatic growth, mengidentifikasi manifestasi pilar-pilar flourishing dalam peran sebagai penggerak akar rumput, serta mengungkap pemaknaan subjektif atas keterbatasan fisik sebagai katalisator perubahan sosial. Menggunakan pendekatan studi kasus kualitatif, studi ini melibatkan lima partisipan penyandang disabilitas fisik yang dipilih melalui purposive sampling. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam semiterstruktur, observasi, serta telaah dokumen, lalu dianalisis menggunakan pendekatan analisis tematik berbasis kasus (case-based thematic analysis). Hasil penelitian mengungkap tiga tema utama, yaitu rekonstruksi identitas dari keretakan trauma menuju keutuhan diri, munculnya agensi serta generativitas berupa dorongan berkontribusi bagi sesama sebagai manifestasi keberfungsian sosial di tingkat akar rumput, serta pencapaian kebahagiaan eudaimonis melalui pemaknaan ulang terhadap penderitaan hidup. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa aktivisme sosial komunitas berfungsi sebagai katalisator utama bagi flourishing penyandang disabilitas, di mana pengalaman penderitaan masa lalu bertransformasi menjadi otoritas moral yang mendorong kontribusi sosial yang berdampak luas. Temuan ini memberikan implikasi teoretis bagi psikologi positif dan praktis bagi perancangan model desa inklusi berbasis kekuatan internal komunitas.