Family resilience in long-distance marriages (phenomenological study of open communication in military families)

Abstract: The deployment of Indonesian National Army (TNI) soldiers in various regions often causes their families to undergo long-distance marriages (LDMs). This condition requires family resilience to maintain household harmony amidst separation and psychological pressure. This study aims to explore how open communication, especially honesty, and the effectiveness of the dual role of soldiers' wives contribute to the resilience of military families in LDM situations. This study uses a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the subjective experiences of wives in Malang city. A total of 20 military pairs were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation and then analyzed by extracting key themes related to honesty, LDM adaptation, social support, emotional stability, and dual role effectiveness. The study's results indicate that open communication, grounded in honesty, serves as an emotional bridge, maintaining closeness between couples and fostering mutual trust. The dual role of the wife, which is carried out effectively, encompasses childcare, household management, and domestic decision-making and can contribute to strengthening family stability. Additionally, social support from extended families, communities, and military institutions plays a crucial role in reducing emotional distress and enhancing family resilience. The emotional stability of wives is also a foundation of resilience, as demonstrated through coping strategies such as spirituality, journaling, and social involvement. In conclusion, the resilience of military families in LDM is formed through the synergy among honesty, emotional adaptation, social support, emotional stability, and the effectiveness of dual roles. This research contributes theoretically to the expansion of the understanding of military family resilience. It can be practically applied as a basis for developing open communication-based support programs and family counseling services and strengthening the military wives' community in Indonesia.