Marital Satisfaction on Long-distance Marriage: A Phenomenological Study on Wives Whose Husbands Study Abroad in the Sidoarjo Sub-District

Abstract

Long distance marriages that occur in married couples become pheneomenain Sidoarjo regency, Conditions separated by distance and time make couples can only meet at certain periods, this condition is prone to couse various problems in marriage. Some needs in long distance marriages that cannot be fulfilled, it can have an impact on the satisfaction of marriage lived by married couples.

This study aims to express the satisfaction of marriage to wife who undergo long distance marriages because their wives work abroad in Sidoarjo regency. Marriage satisfaction is defined as a field evaluation in marriage which includes communication, recreational activities, religious orientation, conflict resolution, financial management, sexual relations, family and friends, equality of participation and child care. This type of research is a qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach. The sampling procedure in this study uses purposive sampling, with data collection techniques in the form of interviews, observation and documentation. In this study there were 2 subjects, all of whom were wife whose husbands worked abroad.

Based on the result of the study, it showed that the three subjects were relatively satisfied with their long distance marriage. This is evidenced by the efforts made by the three subjects to maintain household harmony with their partners, even though they are undergoing long distance marriage. The three subjects also have efforts to achieve marital satisfaction as well as strategies in dealing with obstacles or problem experienced during long distance marriage. The most dominant aspects of marital satisfaction felt by the three subjects were financial manageent, communication, support from family and friends,children and parenting and religius orientation. The achivement of marital satisfaction in factors supporting the achiement of marital satisfaction in the three subjects are the presence of  communication, attention and support from spouses, support from family and friend, improved economic conditions and self perception.