LOYALTY AND HARMONY OF SOLDIERS' WIVES IN LONG DISTANCE MARRIAGE IN MILITARY FAMILIES

Abstract

This study examines the strategies of loyalty and harmony employed by soldiers' wives in navigating Long Distance Marriage (LDM) within military families. The situation of physical separation due to military assignments poses emotional, psychological, and dual role challenges for wives, which have the potential to affect household stability. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, involving 10 informants, who were soldiers' wives, through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation. The analysis is carried out through the stages of bracketing, phenomenological reduction, essential description, and synthesis of meaning. The results of the study indicate that loyalty is sustained through a strong emotional commitment, characterized by consistency in maintaining trust, prioritizing family interests, and making reciprocal sacrifices. Harmony is strengthened by consistent, effective communication, appropriate use of media, and varied topics of interaction, as well as marital satisfaction built through mutual respect, mutual support, and pride in the spouse. Conflict resolution is carried out constructively by restraining emotions, providing a space for discussion, and finding mutually agreeable solutions. Social support from the Persit community, extended family, social networks, and spiritual strength are factors that strengthen family resilience. The study concluded that a combination of emotional commitment, positive communication, marital satisfaction, healthy conflict resolution, and social support was able to maintain the loyalty and harmony of military families in the face of LDM challenges.