When widows speak through self disclosure and social support in  #SaveJanda community

Jolynn Alexander Lim; Intan Primadini

doi:10.24198/jkk.v14i1.64722

When widows speak through self disclosure and social support in #SaveJanda community

Jolynn Alexander Lim, Intan Primadini

Abstract

Background: Interpersonal communication is central to how individuals navigate major life transitions. For widows in patriarchal societies, communication serves as a crucial means for managing grief, navigating shifts in identity, and pursuing emotional connection. In widow-support communities, processes such as trust-building, relational closeness, and self-disclosure shape how members share experiences and obtain social support. However, little is known about how self-disclosure unfolds among widows in peer-based community settings in Indonesia. Purpose: This study investigates the self-disclosure practices of widows within the #SaveJanda community as an interpersonal communication strategy for obtaining social support. Methods: Using a qualitative interpretive paradigm, this study adopted Robert E. Stake’s case study approach. The participants were five widows who were actively involved in the community and were selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and were analyzed thematically. Results: The findings reveal that widows progress through stages of interpersonal communication consistent with Social Penetration Theory (SPT). Feelings of safety, mutual empathy, and shared life experiences facilitate deeper self-disclosure, enabling participants to develop closeness and trust. These communicative processes facilitate the acquisition of emotional, informational, and practical support. Conclusion: Self-disclosure is a key interpersonal strategy for widows to obtain emotional and social support and to establish meaningful connections within the community. Implications: Theoretically, this research strengthens the application of SPT. Practically, it highlights the importance of creating emotionally safe environments that encourage sharing and support among widows.

Keywords

#SaveJanda community; interpersonal communication; self-disclosure; social support; widows

Full Text:

PDF

References

Adnan, A. Z., & Hidayati, F. (2018). Self-disclosure ditinjau dari tipe kepribadian dan self-esteem pada remaja pengguna media sosial. JPSP, 2(2), 179–184. https://doi.org/10.24198/jpsp.v2i2.21194

Alexandrina, E., Nova, P., & Chrisdina. (2021). Komunikasi Interpersonal Pada Komunitas dalam Mencapai Aktualisasi Diri Orangtua tunggal Perempuan Dikala Pandemi. Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi Andalan, 4(2), 112–129. https://jurnal.unma.ac.id/index.php/jika/

Anjani, V. M. D. (2019). Dukungan sosial dengan strategi koping religius pada janda polisi (warakawuri). INTUISI: Jurnal Psikologi Ilmiah, 11(3), 219-237. https://doi.org/10.15294/intuisi.v11i3.18814

Anjarwati, N., Murdiana, S., & Zainuddin, K. (2022). Resiliensi istri pasca kehilangan suami akibat kematian mendadak. Sipakalebbi, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.24252/sipakallebbi.v6i2.31733

Arfika, S. T., & Aprilia, T. (2024). Peran dukungan sosial dan spiritualitas terhadap kebahagiaan lansia yang berstatus janda. Psikis: Jurnal Psikologi Islami,

Bartone, P. T., Bartone, J. V., Violanti, J. M., & Gileno, Z. M. (2019). Peer support services for bereaved survivors: A systematic review. Omega (United States), 80(1), 137–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222817728204

Ben-Dor, I. A., Kraus, E., Goldfarb, Y., Grayzman, A., Puschner, B., & Moran, G. S. (2024). Perspectives and experiences of stakeholders on self-disclosure of peers in mental health services. Community Mental Health Journal, 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-024-01287-2

Beribe, G. I. S. (2023, May). Sinetron ‘Suara Hati Istri’ Langgengkan Stereotip Perempuan. https://www.konde.co/2023/05/sinetron-suara-hati-istri-indosiar-langgengkan-stereotip-pada-perempuan/

Bima, N. R., & Primadini, I. (2023). Perceived femininity: Women working in male-dominated occupations. Jurnal Riset Komunikasi, 6(2).

Kristiansen, B. C., Kjær, J. N., Hjorth, P., Andersen, K., & Prina, A. M. (2019). Prevalence of common mental disorders in widowhood: A systematic review and meta-analysis. In Journal of Affective Disorders, 245, 1016–1023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.088

BPS. (2022). Jumlah pasangan cerai mati di Indonesia 2022.

CNN. (2023, May). Mengapa Stigma Negatif Melekat pada Janda? https://www.cnnindonesia.com/gaya-hidup/20230424180645-277-941614/mengapa-stigma-negatif-melekat-pada-janda

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

DeVito, J. A. . (2022). The interpersonal communication book. Pearson.

Fauzie, A. (2022, July). Suami Meninggal, Depresi, Janda Ini Bunuh Diri. https://radartuban.jawapos.com/nasional/861329241/suami-meninggal-depresi-janda-ini-bunuh-diri

Finucane, A., Canny, A., Mair, A. P. A., Harrop, E., Selman, L. E., Swash, B., Wakefield, D., & Gillanders, D. (2025). A rapid review of the evidence for online interventions for bereavement support. Palliative Medicine, 39(1), 31–52. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163241285101

Flores, P., Gómez, N. R., Roa, A. F., & Whitson, R. (2020). Reviving feminism through social media: from the classroom to online and offline public spaces. Gender and Education, 32(6). https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2018.1513454

Freak-Poli, R., Htun, H. L., Teshale, A. B., & Kung, C. (2025). Understanding loneliness after widowhood: The role of social isolation, social support, self-efficacy, and health-related factors. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105692

GoodStats. (2024, June). Menyikapi kesenjangan gaji pekerja pria dan wanita di Indonesia. https://goodstats.id/article/menyikapi-kesenjangan-gaji-pekerja-pria-dan-wanita-di-indonesia-NfoKz

Hilliker, L. E. (2016). Who am I now? Experiences of widowed baby boomers attending grief support groups. Bereavement Care, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/02682621.2016.1160612

Huisman, D. M., & Lemke, A. (2022). I am this widow: Social support in friendship after the loss of a spouse in mid-life. Omega (United States), 86(1), 45–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222820961231

Jaksana, S. D. (2023, March). Istimewa! Komunitas save janda rangkul perempuan hebat tak bersuami. https://jatimtimes.com/baca/286499/20230328/124800/istimewa-komunitas-save-janda-rangkul-perempuan-hebat-tak-bersuami#:~:text=Komunitas%20Save%20Janda%20merupakan%20komunitas,janda%20yang%20ada%20di%20masyarakat.

Kamunyu, R., & Makena, V. (2020). Psychosocial and economic challenges encountered by widows and their effect on self-esteem. A Case of Githunguchu Sub-location, Gatundu Sub County, Kenya. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS, 25(2), 44. https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-2502054462

Khairifa, F. (2019). Hubungan komunikasi interpersonal suami dan istri dalam meningkatkan keharmonisan rumah tangga di Desa Balogia Kecamatan Pulau-Pulau Batu Kabupaten Nias Selatan. Jurnal Social Opinion, 4(1).

Kim, N., Cho, H., & Kim, K. (2024). The role of social media communication in the association between widowhood and depressive symptoms. Omega (United States). https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228241307774

Klaus, D. (2021). Differential effects of widowhood on network and support. Journal of Family Issues, 42(12), 2755–2781. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X20988068

Liu, M., Qin, F., & Wang, D. (2024). A study of the mediating effect of social support on self-disclosure and demoralization in Chinese older adult homebound breast cancer patients. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1365246

Longoria, B. C. (2022). The widowed identity: Identity transformations of the silent generation and the influence of time. Journal of Women and Aging, 34(6), 773–784. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2021.1948790

Mayer, L., Puschner, N., Votruba, N., Rüsch, N., & Oexle, N. (2022). Social reactions after disclosing suicide loss among women: A Qualitative Study. Crisis, 44(6), 451–457. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000871

Maylon, Z. S., & Primadini, I. (2025). Empowered voices: Unmarried women’s perspective on “Perawan Tua.” Jurnal Ilmiah LISKI, 11(1), 2442–4005. http://journals.telkomuniversity.ac.id/liski80JurnalIlmiahLISKI

Merkin, R. S. (2017). Saving Face in Business: Managing cross-cultural interactions. In Saving Face in Business: Managing Cross-Cultural Interactions. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59174-6

Moran, G. S., Kalha, J., Mueller-Stierlin, A. S., Kilian, R., Krumm, S., Slade, M., Charles, A., Mahlke, C., Nixdorf, R., Basangwa, D., Nakku, J., Mpango, R., Ryan, G., Shamba, D., Ramesh, M., Ngakongwa, F., Grayzman, A., Pathare, S., Mayer, B., & Puschner, B. (2020). Peer support for people with severe mental illness versus usual care in high-, middle- A nd low-income countries: Study protocol for a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial (UPSIDES-RCT). Trials, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-4177-7

Nadhiroh, F. (2023, August). Sederet fakta wanita blitar tabrakkan diri ke ka gegara suami meninggal. https://www.detik.com/jatim/berita/d-6870334/sederet-fakta-wanita-blitar-tabrakkan-diri-ke-ka-gegara-suami-meninggal

Niino, K., Patapoff, M. A., Mausbach, B. T., Liu, H., Moore, A. A., Han, B. H., Palmer, B. W., & Jester, D. J. (2025). Development of loneliness and social isolation after spousal loss: A systematic review of longitudinal studies on widowhood. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 73(1), 253–265. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.19156

Pasinringi, T. (2022, March). Gara-gara stigma janda media, ibu tunggal sulit berkarier. https://womenlead.magdalene.co/2022/03/22/gara-gara-stigma-janda-media-ibu-tunggal-sulit-berkarier/

Pratiwi, M. (2024, May). Pahami pengertian cerai mati dan bedanya dengan cerai biasa. https://perqara.com/blog/pengertian-cerai-mati/

Qin, C., Chen, W. T., Deng, Y., Li, Y., Mi, C., Sun, L., & Tang, S. (2019). Cognition, emotion, and behaviour in women undergoing pregnancy termination for foetal anomaly: A grounded theory analysis. Midwifery, 68, 84–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MIDW.2018.10.006

Rahmatilah, & Junita, N. (2024). Studi komparatif resiliensi pada single mother cerai mati dan cerai hidup di Kecamatan Lhoksukon Comparative Study of Resilience in Single Mother with Death and Life Divorce in Lhoksukon. INSIGHT: Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 2(4), 810–823. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/

Richardson, K. M. (2016). The surviving sisters club: Examining social support and posttraumatic growth among FDNY 9/11 widows. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 21(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2015.1024558

Riyadi, Cangara, H., & Bahfiarti, T. (2025). Dinamika pengungkapan diri dalam persahabatan mahasiswa di indekos: Analisis Berdasarkan Teori Penetrasi Sosial. Journal of Mandalika Literature, 6. http://ojs.cahayamandalika.com/index.php/jml

Salsabila, D., & Budhi, S. (2024). Antara STIGMA DAN REALITAS Sosial: Status janda dalam pandangan masyarakat desa. Huma: Jurnal Sosiologi, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.20527/h-js.v3i1.210

Silva, P., Gonçalves, R., Magalhães, R., & Delerue Matos, A. (2023). Can the internet mitigate the negative effect of widowhood on Quality of Life? A gender analysis. Journal of Population Ageing, 16(3), 679–697. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12062-022-09373-7

Single Moms Indonesia. (2024). About Us. https://singlemomsindonesia.org/about-us/

Sitanggang, T. (2023). Peran komunikasi suami istri dalam mewujudkan keharmonisan keluarga di Gereja Bethel Indonesia Tabgha Batam. Jurnal Imparta, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.61768/ji.v2i1.70

Surkan, P. J., Broaddus, E. T., Shrestha, A., & Thapa, L. (2015). Non-disclosure of widowhood in Nepal: Implications for women and their children. Global Public Health, 10(3), 379–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2014.939686

Tian, X. (2025). Examining the Predictors and Outcomes of Support Seeking Following Spousal Death. Personal Relationships, 32(2), e70010. https://doi.org/10.1111/E.70010;JOURNAL:JOURNAL:14756811;PAGE:STRING:ARTICLE/CHAPTER

Vignoles, V. L., Owe, E., Becker, M., Smith, P. B., Easterbrook, M. J., Brown, R., González, R., Didier, N., Carrasco, D., Cadena, M. P., Lay, S., Schwartz, S. J., Des Rosiers, S. E., Villamar, J. A., Gavreliuc, A., Zinkeng, M., Kreuzbauer, R., Baguma, P., Martin, M., … Bond, M. H. (2016). Beyond the “East-West” dichotomy: Global variation in cultural models of selfhood. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 145(8), 966–1000. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000175

West, R. L. ., & Turner, L. H. . (2018). Introducing communication theory : analysis and application. McGraw-Hill Education.

Wilder, S. E. (2016). Communication practices and advice in later-life widowhood: “we just talked about what it is like to not have your buddy.” Communication Studies, 67(1), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2015.1119171

Willem, C., & Tortajada, I. (2021). Gender, voice and online space: Expressions of feminism on social media in Spain. Media and Communication, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v9i2.3851

Wilson-Menzfeld, G., McGill, G., Moreland, M., Collins, T., Erfani, G., & Johnson, A. (2024). Military widows’ experiences of social isolation, loneliness and unmet social needs. Journal of Loss and Trauma. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2024.2326563

Yani, S., Nilawati, I., & Rismayani. (2021). Penerapan terapi self-disclosure pada remaja yang mengalami stres. Jurnal Keperawatan Muhammadiyah Bengkulu, 09, 11–16. https://doi.org/10.36085/jkmb.v9il.1464

Yonanda, I., Nuryoto, S., & Urbayatun, S. (2022). Personal growth in women after husband’s death. 11(2), 190–199. https://doi.org/10.30872/psikostudia

Zhu, X., Ning, B., Xia, F., Wang, B., Li, Y., Zhang, P., Zhang, X., Yang, D., Ji, G., & Li, M. (2024). The impact of widowhood on the quality of life of older adults: the mediating role of intergenerational support from children. BMC Geriatrics, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05244-2

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24198/jkk.v14i1.64722