Resilience Dynamics of Single-Mother MSME Vendors Following Spousal Loss: A Multiple-Case Study

Abstract

The death of a husband triggers a sudden emotional crisis and economic vulnerability for single-parent women that demands they assume the dual role of childminder as well as primary breadwinner. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of resilience development, as well as the internal and external factors that influence it, among single mothers who are MSME vendors following the death of their husbands. This study employs a qualitative method using a multiple-case study design (holistic multiple-case design), in which data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and documentation of three middle-aged female subjects who work as MSME vendors. The data were then analyzed using NVivo software and validated through triangulation. The results indicate that all participants demonstrated strong resilience in coping with life’s pressures through a balance of seven aspects of resilience: emotional regulation, impulse control, optimism, cause analysis, empathy, self-efficacy, and reaching out. This resilience is formed through a dynamic interaction between internal drives and external factors, in which the presence of children serves as the primary source of motivation, reinforced by family support, social interactions within the community, and religious values as means of self-acceptance and adaptation to life.

Kematian suami memicu krisis emosional mendadak dan kerentanan ekonomi bagi perempuan single parent yang menuntut mereka menjalankan peran ganda sebagai pengasuh anak sekaligus pencari nafkah utama. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dinamika pembentukan resiliensi serta faktor internal dan eksternal yang memengaruhinya pada perempuan single parent pedagang UMKM pasca kematian suami. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan desain multiple case study (holistic multiple-case design), di mana data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara semi-terstruktur, observasi, dan dokumentasi terhadap tiga subjek perempuan dewasa menengah yang berprofesi sebagai pedagang UMKM, lalu dianalisis menggunakan software NVivo serta diperkuat melalui triangulasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa seluruh subjek menunjukkan resiliensi yang baik dalam menghadapi tekanan hidup melalui keseimbangan tujuh aspek resiliensi, yaitu regulasi emosi, pengendalian impuls, optimisme, analisis penyebab, empati, efikasi diri, dan reaching out. Resiliensi tersebut terbentuk melalui interaksi dinamis antara dorongan internal serta faktor eksternal, di mana keberadaan anak menjadi sumber motivasi utama yang diperkuat oleh dukungan keluarga, interaksi sosial masyarakat dan nilai-nilai religiusitas sebagai sarana penerimaan diri dan adaptasi kehidupan.