ASSESSING SUBJECTIVE AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF HOUSEHOLD RESILIENCE AFTER CYCLONE FREDDY IN SOCHE, BLANTYRE CITY. A CASE STUDY OF SOCHE, T/A SOMBA.

This study examined household resilience in Soche Township, Blantyre, following the impacts of Cyclone Freddy, with particular focus on socio-economic characteristics, subjective resilience perceptions, and the role of social capital and institutional factors in shaping recovery outcomes. The study was guided by three objectives: to assess socio economic factors influencing resilience, examine subjective perceptions of resilience, and analyze the contribution of social capital and institutional systems to post-disaster recovery. A mixed-methods cross-sectional research design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Primary data were collected from 46 households using structured questionnaires containing Likert-scale and open-ended questions, while secondary data were obtained from policy documents, reports, and related literature. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression, while qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. A Subjective Resilience Index (SRI) was constructed to measure perceived household resilience. The findings revealed that households in Soche demonstrate a moderate but fragile level of resilience, with an overall SRI of 2.71. Income emerged as the strongest predictor of resilience (r = 0.61; p < 0.001), followed by education and community group membership, while larger household size negatively influenced resilience outcomes. Most households depended on unstable informal livelihoods and low monthly incomes, limiting their capacity for sustainable recovery. Although respondents expressed moderate confidence and hopefulness regarding recovery, preparedness for future disasters remained weak, indicating that resilience was largely reactive rather than proactive. Social capital, particularly participation in religious groups and savings groups, positively contributed to resilience through mutual support and information sharing. However, institutional trust remained low due to perceptions of unequal aid distribution, weak coordination, and inadequate long-term recovery support. The study concludes that resilience in Soche is multidimensional and shaped by the interaction of socio-economic conditions, institutional effectiveness, social relationships, and subjective perceptions. Sustainable resilience therefore requires integrated approaches that strengthen livelihoods, improve institutional accountability, promote community participation, and enhance disaster preparedness systems. The study recommends livelihood-centered recovery interventions, stronger community-based disaster risk reduction strategies, improved transparency in aid distribution, and greater policy attention toward informal urban settlements vulnerable to climate-related disasters