Flood-induced displacement and resilience: the mediating role of coping strategies within the sustainable livelihood framework

Abstract Flood-induced displacement has become a critical challenge in disaster-prone areas particularly in low-income countries where communities depend entirely on the natural resources. This study examines how various forms of livelihood capital such as natural, physical, human, social and financial capital affect livelihood resilience among flood-displaced households, and the mediating role of coping behaviors. Using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework and resilience theory, the study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the survey data from 590 displaced farming households. Findings show that flood-induced displacement significantly depletes livelihood capitals, thereby constraining households’ adaptive capacity. Social and natural capitals exhibit the strongest relative contributions to livelihood resilience, followed by financial and human capital, whereas physical capital shows a comparatively weaker effect. Coping behavior serves as a key mediating mechanism that transforms available capital into resilience outcomes. The study further proposes capital ranking strategies as an innovative analytical tool to compare the relative influence of different livelihood capitals rather than as a prescriptive prioritization approach. By reconceptualizing coping behavior as a mediator variable, rather than an outcome variable, this study contributes to the livelihood resilience theory. It offers empirically grounded insights for policymakers, development practitioners, and humanitarian agencies designing targeted resettlement, sustainable intervention, and recovery initiatives.