Child psychology affects child perspectives on a daily life and future. An environment is a factor contributing to the child development. For instance, children living in a peaceful and prosperous environment will have positive insights and vigor. On the other hand, a bad environment, as a disaster-affected area, will hamper the child development.

At his defense on Thursday (27/12) at Building of Kasman Singodimedjo of Universitas Muhamadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), a doctoral student of Program of Islamic Education Psychology Suwarni presented his dissertation entitled ‘Analysis of Influence of Lumpur Lapindo-affected Factors toward Children Psychology Development in Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, and stated that a horrible   environment. “The psychological development refers to children’s behaviors. My research findings revealed that a Lumpur Lapindo-affected environment bring negative impacts on the children’s development since the condition disrupts their perspectives and understanding of how to respond to an event,” he declared.

Suwarni, a lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo (UMPO), conveyed that the development of children in the district is hampered so that they do not have future. “Many children do not pursue their education and their relationship with their family or other people seems unfriendly. Indeed, they also confront economic issues. The circumstance may also occurs in Banten Tsunami-affected areas,” he maintained.

Suwarni told, “It has been 12 years since the Lumpur Lapindo, but many issues have not resolved yet as social issues. To solve educational issues relies on volunteering. Government should not only provide compensation but also manage the social aspects.

Suwarni expected that government possesses a certain scheme to handle children’s psychology affected by disasters. “The government should give active and sustainable social resolutions, particularly dealing with children because they are generation of this nation,” he hoped.