CULTURAL IMPACT ON SELF-EFFICACY OF DIVORCED WOMEN AND THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS MARRIAGE IN AL-AHSA, SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The increasing rate of divorce in Saudi Arabia has become a social problem that has weakened the cultural values, the social relationships of Saudi families and affected not only divorced women but their children as well. Hence, this study explored the socio- demographic profiles of divorced women in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia as well as the impact of cultural factors on the self-efficacy of divorced women. The impact of divorce on the social relations of Al-Ahsa children is also discussed in this study. The study also examined the attitudes of divorced women towards the institution of marriage in Al- Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The theory of feminism was applied as a theoretical framework in this study. The study used qualitative data collection techniques based on a case study approach. Both purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select informants. A total of eighteen informants comprising divorced women, parents, children from divorced families, academics, and social leaders were selected for in- depth, face-to-face interviews. Thematic data analysis has been used to analyze and interpret data. The findings showed that divorced women experienced emotional emptiness, had self-esteem problems, and were very depressed by the status of widows labelled by society. This situation clearly shows that the cultural impact faced by Saudi women is related to social, economic, psychological, and legal challenges in family and marriage institutions. This study also found that the self-efficacy of divorced women is particularly affected by women who are fully dependent on their husbands, especially in terms of finances. In addition, the vast majority of divorced women in the study still believe that they can remarry, do not give up hope of getting a better life, and believe in the role and function of marriage as an institution. This study concludes that the impact of divorce on women's self-efficacy is high in Al-Ahsa Saudi Arabia due to traditional cultural views on male and female roles and gender inequality. The implication of the study is that female-friendly intervention programs are needed to help divorced women adapt to the needs of life that are within the social structure of society.