Psychological Adaptation of First Wives in Polygamous Marriages
Pernikahan poligami berdampak signifikan terhadap kesehatan psikologis istri pertama, mencakup depresi, kecemasan, insomnia, penurunan harga diri, dan gejala somatik. Meskipun sejumlah penelitian telah mengkaji strategi koping dan faktor kebahagiaan pada istri pertama, pembahasan spesifik mengenai proses adaptasi psikologis secara holistik dan bertahap masih sangat terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan menjelaskan proses adaptasi psikologis istri pertama dalam pernikahan poligami, mulai dari respons awal terhadap pemberitahuan poligami hingga pencapaian bentuk adaptasi berkelanjutan. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam semi-terstruktur terhadap dua informan istri pertama yang berstatus ibu rumah tangga beserta dua significant other. Analisis data menggunakan analisis tematik Braun dan Clarke (2006) dengan triangulasi sumber. Ditemukan lima tema utama: (1) respons terhadap pemberitahuan poligami yang sangat dipengaruhi cara penyampaian suami; (2) peran dukungan sosial dan tekanan stigma dalam proses adaptasi; (3) strategi koping sebagai mekanisme adaptasi psikologis; (4) spiritualitas dan peran anak sebagai sumber makna dan motivasi bertahan; serta (5) rekonstruksi harga diri dan identitas. Adaptasi psikologis istri pertama merupakan proses yang personal, bertahap, dan multidimensional. Cara pemberitahuan poligami, penilaian kognitif awal berbasis keimanan, kualitas dukungan sosial, spiritualitas, dan kemampuan rekonstruksi identitas merupakan determinan utama keberhasilan adaptasi
Polygamous marriages significantly affect the psychological well-being of first wives, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, reduced self-esteem, and somatic symptoms. While several studies have examined coping strategies and happiness factors in first wives, specific discussions on the holistic and gradual psychological adaptation process remain limited. This study aimed to describe the psychological adaptation process of first wives in polygamous marriages, from initial responses to the polygamy disclosure to achieving sustained adaptation. A qualitative case study approach was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with two first-wife informants who were full-time homemakers and two significant others. Thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke (2006) was applied with source triangulation. Five main themes emerged: (1) responses to polygamy disclosure heavily shaped by the husband's manner of communication; (2) the role of social support and stigma pressure in the adaptation process; (3) coping strategies as psychological adaptation mechanisms; (4) spirituality and the role of children as sources of meaning and motivation; and (5) reconstruction of self-esteem and identity. Psychological adaptation of first wives is a personal, gradual, and multidimensional process. The manner of disclosure, faith-based cognitive appraisal, quality of social support, spirituality, and identity reconstruction capacity are key determinants of successful adaptation