Southeast Asian Journal of Management and Research
Vol. 4 No. 3 (2026): Agust

From Personal Wound to Professional Resilience: A Phenomenological Study of Working Women’s Career Resilience After Relational Betrayal

Epsilandri Septyarini (Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study aims to explore how working women develop career resilience after experiencing relational betrayal in marriage. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with four working women from different professional backgrounds, including a lecturer, a communication professional, a teacher, and an employee of a state-owned enterprise. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis supported by the Gioia data structure, consisting of first-order concepts, second-order themes, and aggregate dimensions. The findings reveal that relational betrayal becomes a critical life event that disrupts emotional stability, trust, self-perception, and professional functioning. However, work serves as a survival space, a source of self-worth, and an anchor for rebuilding professional identity. Six main dimensions emerged from the analysis: emotional disruption, professional survival, reclaiming professional identity, supportive recovery environment, women empowerment, and career resilience. This study contributes to human resource management literature by showing that career resilience is shaped not only by organizational pressures, but also by personal crises that affect employees’ psychological resources and work functioning.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

sajmr

Publisher

Subject

Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

SAJMR: Southeast Asian Journal of Management and Research is an academic journal that focuses on the field of Management Science and research in the Southeast Asian region. This journal aims to be an important platform for academics, researchers, practitioners, and professionals in the field of ...