Psychosocial transformation of the deaf community through inclusive empowerment programs: A case study of the PERINTIS CSR Program at PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan

Milly Mildawati; Versanudin Hekmatyar; Ade Subarkah; Dede Kuswanda; Tukino Tukino; Eko Gunawan Wibisosno; Fachry Arsyad; Mohamad Zulkifli; Andromedo Cahyo Purnomo; ⁠Shafira Putri Kusuma P

doi:10.55942/pssj.v5i9.700

Authors

Milly Mildawati Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7876-1472
Versanudin Hekmatyar Politeknik Kesejahteraan Sosial Bandung https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7313-4294
Ade Subarkah Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0194-3520
Dede Kuswanda Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6278-9645
Tukino Tukino Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2806-5844
Eko Gunawan Wibisosno Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7977-2603
Fachry Arsyad Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7984-8921
Mohamad Zulkifli PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0812-805X
Andromedo Cahyo Purnomo PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1571-7506
⁠Shafira Putri Kusuma P PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1985-7578

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v5i9.700

Keywords:

psychosocial transformation, Deaf community, inclusive empowerment, CSR, PERINTIS program

Abstract

The deaf community in Indonesia continues to face psychosocial challenges that extend beyond communication barriers, including low self-esteem, limited social participation, and social stigma. While many Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives focus on economic outcomes, little is known about their impact on psychosocial well-being. This study explores the psychosocial transformation experienced by members of the Deaf community through the PERINTIS Program, a CSR initiative of PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan, Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with the program participants, parents, and the implementation team. A three-stage thematic analysis (open, axial, and selective coding) was conducted. The findings indicate that prior to joining the program, the participants often showed signs of withdrawal, low confidence, and emotional instability. After engaging in barista training and mentoring within an inclusive community space, the participants reported increased confidence, stronger social relationships, improved emotional regulation, and greater motivation for the future. These changes were facilitated by a strengths-based, gradual empowerment process supported by mentors and an inclusive social environment. This study highlights the importance of integrating psychosocial dimensions into CSR initiatives, showing that empowerment goes beyond technical skill-building to include identity reconstruction and social recognition. The results contribute to disability studies, social work practice, and CSR policy and suggest that similar community-based models may foster more sustainable and inclusive empowerment.

Author Biographies

Milly Mildawati, Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare

Milly Mildawati, Ph.D is an Associate Professor at the master’s program in Applied Social Work, Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare, Indonesia. She earned her doctorate in Social Work from University Sains Malaysia in 2015. Her academic expertise covers disaster social work, social protection, community empowerment, and disaster studies, with research focusing on disaster mitigation, refugees, and conflict resolution.

Versanudin Hekmatyar, Politeknik Kesejahteraan Sosial Bandung

Versanudin Hekmatyar, S.K.Pm., M.Kesos is a Lecturer and Researcher at the Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare, Indonesia. His scholarly interests include social development, disaster studies, sustainable development, and social policy. His areas of expertise are social mapping and data analytics. He has also been actively involved in national projects with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, as well as with national corporations on corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Ade Subarkah, Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare

Ade Subarkah, MPSSp is a Lecturer and Researcher at the Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare, Indonesia. He holds an academic background in community development and social work, with research interests in social vulnerability, psychosocial issues, and disaster risk management. In addition to teaching and supervising students, he is actively involved in applied research and community engagement projects focusing on the empowerment of vulnerable groups. His works contribute to the development of interdisciplinary approaches in social work, particularly in the context of post-disaster social recovery and strengthening social support for marginalized communities.

Dede Kuswanda, Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare

Drs. Dede Kuswanda, PhD., is an Associate Professor at the Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare in the Social Work Study Program of the Applied Master’s Program since 2015. Alumni of the Institute of Teacher Training and Education Sciences (IKIP) Bandung, graduated from the Non-Formal Education (PLS) Department in 1986; University of Indonesia (UI) graduated from the Sociology Study Program with a Specialization in Social Welfare in 1998; and graduated from the Social Work Study Program at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2015. Active in the field of research and practice of disaster management/refugee management and poverty management.

Tukino Tukino, Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare

Dr. Tukino, M.Si. is an Associate Professor at the Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare. He completed his Bachelor of Social Welfare degree from Padjadjaran University in 1985, then earned his Master of Science in Developmental Psychology from the same university in 2000 and earned his Doctorate in Social Sciences/Communication Science from Padjadjaran University in 2008. His areas of expertise include communication and relations in social work, social work with disasters, and social work with older adults.

Eko Gunawan Wibisosno, Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare

Eko Gunawan Wibisono, A.KS., MP. is a lecturer in the Social Protection and Empowerment Study Program at the Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare. He completed his bachelor’s degree in social work at the Bandung College of Social Welfare (STKS) in 1999 and continued his master’s degree in social development at IPB University in 2009. Areas of expertise include the administration and management of human service organizations, human behavior in the social environment (HBSE), Social Counselling Practice, Social Work Practice with Disasters, Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (casework), and Cultural Diversity for Social Work.

Fachry Arsyad, Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare

Fachry Arsyad, M.Kesos, is a lecturer at the Bandung Polytechnic of Social Welfare, Indonesia. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Social Work (D4) from Sekolah Tinggi Kesejahteraan Sosial (STKS) Bandung and a master’s degree in social Welfare from the University of Indonesia. With academic and professional expertise in disaster management and corporate social responsibility (CSR), he teaches courses on Social Work Practice with Disasters, as well as Social Work Practice in Industry and CSR. His research and community service activities focus on community-based disaster risk reduction and the development of innovative approaches to strengthen the social welfare system. Through teaching, research, and collaboration with government institutions, NGOs, and local communities, Fachry Arsyad continues to contribute to the advancement of social work education and practice in Indonesia, inspiring students to uphold empathy, equity, and resilience in addressing complex social issues.

Mohamad Zulkifli, PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan

Mohamad Zulkifli is an Area Manager Communication, Relation & CSR at PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan, responsible for program development and stakeholder engagement in social and environmental responsibility initiatives. Authorized, have duties and responsibilities in analyzing, supervising, and evaluating work plans, budget plans, Communication, Relation & CSR implementation, consolidating internal control reports, supervising good relations with stakeholders, and carrying out good relations with other functions, fostered partners, local governments, subsidiaries, consultants, sub-holding, and local to international media.

Andromedo Cahyo Purnomo, PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan

Andromedo Cahyo Purnomo is a CSR officer at PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan, with expertise in program implementation, partnership building, and monitoring of community empowerment activities. Managing CSR activities, preparing information to be conveyed to the media or other communication channels related to CSR activities, as well as identifying the information needs of stakeholders and responding to stakeholders information needs related to CSR so as to create a conducive environment and harmonious relationship with stakeholders and support the creation of good company credibility in the eyes of stakeholders around the area operation of PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan, Indonesia.

⁠Shafira Putri Kusuma P, PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan

Shafira Putri Kusuma P is a Community Development Officer at PT. Kilang Pertamina International RU VI Balongan, with expertise in program implementation, partnership building, and monitoring of community empowerment activities. Authority, duties and responsibilities in conducting social mapping of villages that are developments, identifying program needs, implementing CSR, facilitating the community in overseeing the community development innovation process that includes economy, social, wellbeing and nature, make an innovation social programs and innovation development technology tools, bridging in an effort to meet the needs of the community and companies, preparing and compile PROPER Hijau and Emas documents and coordinating with relevant government agencies and stakeholders.

References

Bandura, A., Freeman, W. H., & Lightsey, R. (1999). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1891/0889-8391.13.2.158 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1891/0889-8391.13.2.158

Barnes, C. (2005). Independent living, politics and policy in the United Kingdom: A social model account. Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, 1(4), 5–13. https://rdsjournal.org/index.php/journal/article/view/366

Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.117.3.497

Creswell, J. W. (2015). Penelitian kualitatif dan desain Riset. Pustaka Pelajar.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01

Dethmers, N., Knoors, H., Vissers, C., van Gelder, H., & Hermans, D. (2025). Screening for psychological problems in deaf and hard of hearing students. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. https://doi.org/10.1093/jdsade/enaf017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jdsade/enaf017

du Feu, M., & Fergusson, K. (2003). Sensory impairment and mental health. In Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp. 95–103). https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.9.2.95 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.9.2.95

Erikson, E. H. (1968). On the Nature of Psycho-Historical Evidence: In Search of Gandhi. Daedalus, 97(3), 695–730. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20023839

Karomalloh, A. D. (2024). Disabilitas dan Tantangan di Dunia Kerja. Kementerian Sosial RI. https://kemensos.go.id/jurnal-dan-artikel/direktorat-jenderal-pemberdayaan-sosial/Disabilitas-dan-Tantangan-di-Dunia-Kerja

Kusters, A., De Meulder, M., & O’Brien, D. (2017). Innovations in Deaf Studies: The Role of Deaf Scholars. Oxford University Press. https://books.google.com/books?id=dACpDgAAQBAJ

Ladd, Paddy. (2003). Understanding deaf culture: in search of deafhood. Multilingual Matters. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21832/9781853595479

Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative Learning: Theory to Practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 1997(74), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.7401 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.7401

Reindal, S. M. (2008). A social relational model of disability: A theoretical framework for special needs education? European Journal of Special Needs Education, 23(2), 135–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856250801947812 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08856250801947812

Saleebey, D. (1996). The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice: Extensions and Cautions. Social Work, 41(3), 296–305. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23718172

Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 8 Tahun 2016 tentang Penyandang Disabilitas. Lembaran Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 2016 Nomor 69. https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Home/Details/37580/uu-no-8-tahun-2016

WHO. (2011). World Report on Disability 2011. World Health Organization.

Zarb, G. (1992). On the road to Damascus: First steps towards changing the relations of disability research production. Disability, Handicap & Society, 7(2), 125–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/02674649266780161 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02674649266780161

Zastrow, C. (2017). Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare: Empowering People. Cengage Learning.