1Universitas Syiah Kuala I Indonesia, Indonesia
2Universitas Gadjah Mada I Indonesia, Indonesia
3Psychology Department, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia, Indonesia
4 Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, The Australian National University, Australia, Indonesia
5 Psychology Department, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia
BibTex Citation Data :
@article{JP76734, author = {Haiyun Nisa and Koentjoro Koentjoro and Khatijatussalihah Khatijatussalihah and Sharla Aliffia Shaqinah}, title = {Choosing to leave: Women’s divorce decisions and the psychological consequences for family well-being in Aceh}, journal = {Jurnal Psikologi}, volume = {25}, number = {2}, year = {2026}, keywords = {Divorce; family well-being; phenomenological; psychological consequences}, abstract = { Background: Divorce involves complex personal and social factors, particularly when initiated by women. Divorce may protect children from prolonged marital conflict but also affect family stability and emotional security. Understanding women’s psychological experiences of divorce is therefore important for promoting family well-being and supportive legal and social responses. Purpose: This study explores women’s lived experiences of divorce through religious courts (Mahkamah Syar’iyah) and its perceived psychological and relational consequences within the family. Method: This qualitative study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) using in-depth semi-structured interviews with five divorced women in Aceh, Indonesia, who had initiated divorce proceedings through religious courts. Findings: Four key themes emerged in women’s divorce decision-making: (1) Negotiating the decision to divorce, (2) navigating loss, pain and emotional renewal, (3) reconstructing life after divorce, and (4) family as an anchor. Participants described divorce as a prolonged decision shaped by marital distress, social expectations, and concerns about family well-being Implication: This study recommends integrating mental health support into the divorce process to promote women’s and families’ well-being period. Future research could examine children’s long-term psychological outcomes, the influence of legal and support systems on women’s and families’ mental health, and community-based interventions to reduce psychological challenges period. }, issn = {2302-1098}, pages = {229--250} doi = {10.14710/jp.25.2.229-250}, url = {https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/psikologi/article/view/76734} }
Refworks Citation Data :
Background: Divorce involves complex personal and social factors, particularly when initiated by women. Divorce may protect children from prolonged marital conflict but also affect family stability and emotional security. Understanding women’s psychological experiences of divorce is therefore important for promoting family well-being and supportive legal and social responses.
Purpose: This study explores women’s lived experiences of divorce through religious courts (Mahkamah Syar’iyah) and its perceived psychological and relational consequences within the family.Method: This qualitative study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) using in-depth semi-structured interviews with five divorced women in Aceh, Indonesia, who had initiated divorce proceedings through religious courts.
Findings: Four key themes emerged in women’s divorce decision-making: (1) Negotiating the decision to divorce, (2) navigating loss, pain and emotional renewal, (3) reconstructing life after divorce, and (4) family as an anchor. Participants described divorce as a prolonged decision shaped by marital distress, social expectations, and concerns about family well-being
Implication: This study recommends integrating mental health support into the divorce process to promote women’s and families’ well-being period. Future research could examine children’s long-term psychological outcomes, the influence of legal and support systems on women’s and families’ mental health, and community-based interventions to reduce psychological challenges period.
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