ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
The purpose of this study was to identify the aspects of adaptation and cohesiveness in terms of the experiences of first wives in polygamous families in Malaysia. A total of six first wives were interviewed in in-depth, face-to-face interviews using predetermined questions. The interviews were then transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis, with the following four themes emerging: don’t overthink, train yourself to be independent, accept polygamy with an open heart and submit to God, and constantly adapt to the new environment. The findings of the study are explained, and the major implications thereof are discussed in detail. These findings are expected to help in providing guidance and instruction to those first wives who have had bad experiences, conflicts, or difficulties in adjusting to polygamy. It is shown, in fact, that most first wives can successfully strive to face the challenges and difficulties of polygamous life without resorting to divorce.
Al-Krenawi, A., & Kanat-Maymon, Y. (2017). Psychological symptomatology, self-esteem, and life satisfactions of women from polygamous and monogamous marriages in Syria. International Social Work, 60(1), 196-207.
Al-Krenawi, A., Graham, J. R., & Jacobsen, S. B. S. (2006). Attitudes toward and reasons for polygamy differentiated by gender and age among Bedouin-Arabs of the Negev. International Journal of Mental Health, 35(1), 46-61.
Razak, M. M. A., Hashim, M. I. H., & Drani, S. (2021). Social functionality of polygamous families. Journal of social sciences and humanities, 18(6), 85-99.
Arif, R. (2013). Women and leadership in Islam: A Case Study in Indonesia. Int J Soc Sci, 16(1), 46-51.
Dharmawijaya, A. (2019). Dampak poligami siri terhadap kehidupan keluarga di Desa Cigugur Girang Bandung Barat. Asy-Syari'ah, 21(2), 207-220.
Fahmi, R. (2014). Proses pengambilan keputusan menjadi isteri kedua dalam perkawinan poligami pada wanita berpendidikan tinggi. Psympathic, 1(2),231-243.
Ickowitz, A., & Mohanty, L. (2015). Why would she? polygyny and women's welfare in Ghana. Feminist Economics, 21(2),77-104.
Muraru, A. A., & Turliuc, M. N. (2013). Predictors of marital adjustment: Are there any differences between women and men? Europe's Journal of Psychology, 9(3), 427-442.
Hariyanto, H. (2015). Dehumanisasi terhadap perempuan dalam praksis poligami. PALASTREN, 8(1), 79-102.
Hassouneh, P. D. (2001). Polygamy and wife abuse: Qualitative. Health Care for Women International, 22, 735-748.
Ismail, R., Azlan, H. A. N., & Yusoff, F. (2015). Assessing the relationship between quality of life and marital satisfaction among Malaysian married couples. Journal of social Sciences & Humanities, 2, 66-71.
Jayos, S., & Yadzi, M. N. A. (2018). Perkongsian cabaran perasaan dan pemikiran klien wanita hidup bersama suami yang berpoligami. Jurnal at-taujih bimbingan dan kaunseling islam, 1(1), 32-49.
Jasmi, K. A. (2012). Kesahan dan kebolehpercayaan dalam kajian kualitatif.
Apa-apar presented at the Kursus Penyelidikan Kualitatif Siri 1 Puteri Resort
Melaka. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/293097747_Kesahan_dan_Keboleh
percayaan_dalam_Kajian_Kualitatif.
Janakowiak, W., Sudakob, M., & Wilker, B. C. (2005). Co-wife conflict and co-operation. Ethnology, 44(1), 81-98.
Lestari, A. D., & Indrabuati, E. S. (2020). Meniti takdir poligami (interpretative phenomenological analysis pada pengalaman kepuasan pernikahan suami yang berpoligami). Jurnal Empati, 8(3), 40-54.
Mukri, M. (2017). Poligami: Antara teks dan konteks sosial. Jurnal Al-Adalah, 14(1), 201-224.
Mustafar, F. W. (2019). Peranan ilmu sebagai kelangsungan keluarga poligami. Kertas kerja yang dibentangkan dalam Persidangan Muslimah Antarabangsa Kelantan 2019: Inspirasi Muslimah Ke Arah Matlamat Pembangunan Mapan. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334129975.
Nuraimirah, Z., Norulhuda Sarnon @ Kusenin., & Saadah, N. M. A. (2019). Kesan perceraian ke atas kanak-kanak: perspektif pekerja sosial. Jurnal Psikologi Malaysia, 33(3), 67-78.
Norhayati, Z., & Zaidah, M. (2016). Remaja daripada ibu bapa yang bercerai di Malaysia: Suatu penelitian. Malaysian Journal of Society and Space, 12(9), 150 -160.
Stafford, L. (2016). Marital sanctity, relationship maintenance, and marital quality. Journal of Family Issues, 37(1), 119-131.
Siti, N. S. M., & Nasir, M. (2019). Student emotions due to parental divorce. Sains Humanika, 12 (1), 73-81.
Schneiders, A. A. (1960). Personal adjustment and mental health. New York: Holt, Reinhart, and Winston Inc.
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing of grounded theory. California, USA: Sage Publication.
Marziah, S. Z., Asila, N. M. S., & Salina, N. (2019). Persepsi mengenai kualiti perkahwinan dalam kalangan pasangan muda di selangor (usia perkahwinan 1-10 tahun). Proceeding The 1st International Language, Culture and Education Conference 2019 “Language, Culture and Education as Gateways to New World Paradigm”.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic happiness: using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. New York: Free Press.
Seligman, M., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive Psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55, 5-14.
Slonim-Nevo, V., & Al-Krenawi, A. (2006). Success and failure among polygamous families: The experience of wives, husbands, and children. Family Process, 45(3), 311-330.
Subhi, N., Nasir, M. N. H., & Razak, A. M. A. (2020). Poligami: pengalaman dari perspektif isteri pertama. Jurnal Psikologi Malaysia, 34(3), 200-213.
Rahmawati, W. S. (2013). Pengambilan keputusan seorang istri dalam pernikahan poligami. Jurnal Psikologi Ulayat, 1(2), 163-176.
Thobejane, T. D., & Flora, T. (2014). An exploration of polygamous marriages: A worldview. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(27), 1058-1066.
In-Text Citation: (Razak et al., 2022)
To Cite this Article: Razak, M. A. A., Hashim, I. H. M., & Drani, S. (2022). How Do First Wives View Polygamy in Terms of Adaptation and Family Cohesiveness? International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(1), 1428 – 1437.
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode