EXPLORATION OF THE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS OF SECOND WIVES IN POLYGAMY RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

This study aimed to identify how Malaysian polygamous second wives adapt to a polygamous life. A total of seven women who were second wives were interviewed. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted, which were then transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. The following four themes emerged: controlling self-conflict, learning a new environment, having a goal focus, and practicing discussion and mutual agreement. The study results highlight strategies for second wives to increase their cognitive and emotional resilience and better adapt them to the challenges of a polygamous life. The study findings provide a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the form of adaptation and the process of polygamous families in Malaysia, especially among second wives. This study also contributes to developing recommendations for ways and skills in family counseling dealing with polygamy. The implication of this study is to contribute knowledge, especially to the construction of psychometric test tools and new variables in conducting a survey-type study on a larger scale of respondents, which consisted of second wives.