Main Article Content
Abstract
Indonesian retired female migrant workers (RFMWs) are pivotal in strengthening household economic and social resilience post-migration. This study analyzes remittance management, livelihood strategies, and family resilience among RFMWs in Kenanga Village, Indramayu Regency. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining a survey of 80 households with in-depth interviews. Research instruments included a livelihood strategy questionnaire and the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire (WFRQ). Results show that remittances were primarily used for housing construction or renovation, children's education, and business capital, enhancing physical and financial assets. The dominant livelihood strategy was non-agricultural business diversification due to limited natural capital. As many as 83.75% of households had high resilience, characterized by open communication, role flexibility, and adaptive capacity. These findings highlight the need for integrating remittance management with livelihood strategies to reinforce post-migration family resilience. Remittance management functions as an economic resource that supports household livelihood strategies, while livelihood strategies determine the sustainable use of remittances. These two dimensions are mutually reinforcing and, when integrated, contribute significantly to strengthening post-migration family resilience.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Etic Susilawati, Ekawati Sri Wahyuni, Lala M Kolopaking

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References
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- Saefullah, L., Giyasih, S. R., & Setiyawati, D. (2019). The Effect of Social Support on Family Resilience Among Indonesian Migrant Workers. Journal of Humanist Educational Sociology, 3(2), 119 - 132. DOI: 10.17977/um021v3i2p119-132.
- Scoones, I. (2015). Sustainable livelihoods and rural development. Practical Action Publishing
- Shin, K.-Y., Kalleberg, A. L., & Hewison, K. (2023). Precarious Work: a Global Perspective. Sociology Compass, 17(12), e13136. DOI: 10.1111/soc4.13136
- Siahaan, R. (2012). Social Family Resilience: a Social Work Perspective. Sosio Informa, 17(2), 82-96. DOI: 10.33007/inf.v17i2.95.
- Sikder, M. J. U., & Higgins, V. (2017). Remittances and Social Resilience of Migrant Households in Rural Bangladesh. Migration and Development, 6(2), 253–275. DOI: 10.1080/21632324.2016.1142752.
- Sophianingrum, M., Angelina, M., & Nugroho, P. (2022). Analysis of Characteristics and Roles of Domestic and International Migration Strategies on Household Livelihoods: a Case Study in Sragen Regency, Central Java. Journal of Region and Environment, 10(1), 69–85. DOI: 10.14710/jwl.10.1.69-85.
- Sukesi, K., Rosalinda, H., & Hartati, W. A. S. (2017). Female Migration, Remittances, and Socio-Economic Change in Rural Areas. UB Press
- Sulistyo, P., & Wahyuni, E. (2014). The Impact of Economic Remittances on the Social Position of Female Migrant Workers Within Households. Sodality: Journal of Rural Sociology, 6(3), 252–258. DOI: 10.22500/sodality.v6i3.8020.
- Susilo, D., Baihaqi, A., Maela, N. F. S., & Fitriyah, I. (2018). Family Communication Among Indonesian Migrant Worker Families: Barriers and Solutions. Journal of Communication Effects (JIKE), 1(2), 166–188. DOI: 10.32534/jike.v1i2.157.
- Utamidewi, W., Mulyana, D., & Rizal, D. E. (2017). Communication Experiences of Former Female Migrant Worker Families. Journal of Communication Studies, 5(1), 69–80. DOI: 10.24198/jkk.v5i1.7901.
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- Walsh, F. (2008). Using Theory to Support a Family Resilience Framework in Practice. Social Work Now, 36(1), 5–14. Retrieved from http://natlib.govt.nz/records/21458105.
- Walsh, F. (2016a). Applying a Family Resilience Framework in Training, Practice, and Research: Mastering the Art of the Possible. Family Process, 55(4), 616–632. DOI: 10.1111/famp.12260.
- Walsh, F. (2016b). Family resilience: A developmental systems framework. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 13(3), 313–324. doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2016.1154035.
- Widiono, S., Wahyuni, E. S., Kolopaking, L. M., & Satria, A. (2024). Livelihood Vulnerability of Indigenous People to Climate Change Around the Kerinci Seblat National Park in Bengkulu, Indonesia. Regional Sustainability, 5(4). doi.org/10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100181.
- Yuliana, L., Widiono, S., & Cahyadinata, I. (2016). Livelihood Strategies of Traditional and Modern Fisheries Households in the Sekunyit Fishermen Community, Kaur Regency, Bengkulu Province. AGRiSEP: Journal of Agricultural Socio-Economics and Agribusiness Studies, 2(1), 163–175. DOI: 10.31186/jagrisep.15.2.163-176.
References
Agustina, I., & Kasirul, M. (2022). Social, Economic, and Cultural Strategies of Return Migrants During The Covid-19 Pandemic Era: a Case Study in Karangudi Village, Ngrampal District, Sragen Regency. Journal of Student Research in Social, Economic, and Islamic Business (SOSEBI), 2(1), 106 – 122. DOI: 10.21274
Anggraini, E. (2023). Analysis of factors Influencing Family Resilience Among Migrant Worker Families in Sukowilangun Village, Kalipare District, Malang Regency. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, 7(1), 317–328. DOI: 10.21776/ub.jepa.2023.007.01.28.
Arlavico, Y., Nadadies, S., Rahmadani, R. T., & Mukhlis, I. (2024). The Impact of Remittances on Economic Welfare and Poverty Among Migrant Worker Families in Batu City. Journal Business and Education, 4(2),15-20. DOI: 10.17977/um066.v4.i2.2024.3.
Bayala, E. (2023). Transformative Effects of Remittances on Health Behavior, Community Resilience, and Gender Dynamics in Burkina Faso. in Remittances as Social Practices and Agents of Change: the Future of Transnational Society. Journal Springer International Publishing, 3(2), 227–247. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-81504-2_10.
Bhana, A., & Bachoo, S. (2011). The Determinants of Family Resilience Among Families in Low- and Middle-Income Contexts: a Systematic Literature Review. South African Journal of Psychology, 41(2), 131-139. DOI: 10.1177/008124631104100202.
Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI). (2024). Data on the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, January–September 2024. Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://bp2mi.go.id/statistik-detail/data-penempatan-dan-pelindungan-pekerja-migran-indonesia-periode-januari-september-2024.
Statistics Indonesia of West Java Province. (2022). Educational statistics of West Java Province 2022. Statistics Indonesia. Retrieved from https://jabar.bps.go.id.
Statistics Indonesia of Indramayu Regency. 2022. Sindang Subdistrict in Figures 2022. Statistics Indonesia of Indramayu Regency, Indramayu.
Dharmawan, A. H. (2007). Rural Livelihood Systems and Strategies: a Livelihood Sociology Perspective (Bogor School). Journal of Transdisciplinary Sociology, Communication, and Human Ecology, 1(2), 169–192. DOI: 10.22500/sodality.v1i2.5932.
Dharmawan, A. H. (2024). Livelihood Systems and Dynamics of Socio-Ecological Relations in Rural Areas. IPB Press
Duncan, J. M., Garrison, M. E., & Killian, T. S. (2021). Measuring Family Resilience: Evaluating the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire. Family Journal, 29(1), 80–85. DOI: 10.1177/1066480720956641.
Ellis, F. (1999). Rural Livelihood Diversity in Developing Countries: Evidence and Policy Implications. ODI Natural Resources Perspectives
Firlana, H., & Mastur, A. S. R. (2023). Survival Strategies, Remittance Management Models, and Microbusinesses of Migrant Worker Families: a Literature Review. Journal of Administration and International Development, 3(1), 77–91. DOI: 10.52617/jaid.v3i1.459.
Firmawan, M., Widiatmaka, & Nirmala, K. (2021). Identification of Spatial Dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover in Indramayu Regency. Journal of Soil Science and Environment, 23(2), 78–84. DOI: 10.29244/jitl.23.2.78-84.
Hill, H. D., & Ybarra, M. A. (2014). Less-Educated Workers’ Unstable Employment: can the Safety Net Help? Fast Focus No. 19-2014. Institute for Research on Poverty, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Irawaty, T., Ekawati, D., & Wahyuni, S. (2011). Women’s International Migration and Remittances in Pusakajaya Village, Subang Regency, West Java Province. Journal of Transdisciplinary Sociology, Communication, and Human Ecology, 5(3), 297–310. DOI: 10.22500/sodality.v5i3.9694.
Khuriyah, S. I., & Purnomo, A. (2023). Utilization of Remittances by Female Migrant Workers to Improve the Welfare of Left-Behind Families. Journal of Education and Geography (JPIG), 8(2), 143-163. Retrieved from ejournal.unikama.ac.id/index.php/jpig/
Nadrowska, N., Błażek, M., Lewandowska-Walter, A., Błażek, W., & Zdun-Ryżewska, A. (2022). Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire—Polish adaptation (WFRQ-PL). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 1- 13. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074197.
Pratiwi, M. A., Yusmiati, W. V., & Faizah, N. A. (2020). Gender Analysis of Productive Economic Programs for Return Migrant Women: a Case Study in Kenanga Village, Indramayu Regency. Jurnal Perempuan, 25(60), 60–87. DOI: 10.34309/jp.v25i3.462
Putri, S. H. A., Sukandar, D., & Makbul, R. F. (2024). The Relationship Between Family Income and the Nutritional Status of School-Age Children Based on Body Mass Index by Height in Babakan Village, Dramaga District. Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics Science, 3(2), 85–90. DOI: 10.25182/jigd.2024.3.2.85-90.
Saefullah, L., Giyasih, S. R., & Setiyawati, D. (2019). The Effect of Social Support on Family Resilience Among Indonesian Migrant Workers. Journal of Humanist Educational Sociology, 3(2), 119 - 132. DOI: 10.17977/um021v3i2p119-132.
Scoones, I. (2015). Sustainable livelihoods and rural development. Practical Action Publishing
Shin, K.-Y., Kalleberg, A. L., & Hewison, K. (2023). Precarious Work: a Global Perspective. Sociology Compass, 17(12), e13136. DOI: 10.1111/soc4.13136
Siahaan, R. (2012). Social Family Resilience: a Social Work Perspective. Sosio Informa, 17(2), 82-96. DOI: 10.33007/inf.v17i2.95.
Sikder, M. J. U., & Higgins, V. (2017). Remittances and Social Resilience of Migrant Households in Rural Bangladesh. Migration and Development, 6(2), 253–275. DOI: 10.1080/21632324.2016.1142752.
Sophianingrum, M., Angelina, M., & Nugroho, P. (2022). Analysis of Characteristics and Roles of Domestic and International Migration Strategies on Household Livelihoods: a Case Study in Sragen Regency, Central Java. Journal of Region and Environment, 10(1), 69–85. DOI: 10.14710/jwl.10.1.69-85.
Sukesi, K., Rosalinda, H., & Hartati, W. A. S. (2017). Female Migration, Remittances, and Socio-Economic Change in Rural Areas. UB Press
Sulistyo, P., & Wahyuni, E. (2014). The Impact of Economic Remittances on the Social Position of Female Migrant Workers Within Households. Sodality: Journal of Rural Sociology, 6(3), 252–258. DOI: 10.22500/sodality.v6i3.8020.
Susilo, D., Baihaqi, A., Maela, N. F. S., & Fitriyah, I. (2018). Family Communication Among Indonesian Migrant Worker Families: Barriers and Solutions. Journal of Communication Effects (JIKE), 1(2), 166–188. DOI: 10.32534/jike.v1i2.157.
Utamidewi, W., Mulyana, D., & Rizal, D. E. (2017). Communication Experiences of Former Female Migrant Worker Families. Journal of Communication Studies, 5(1), 69–80. DOI: 10.24198/jkk.v5i1.7901.
Walsh, F. (2006). Strengthening Family Resilience (2nd Ed). The Guilford Press
Walsh, F. (2008). Using Theory to Support a Family Resilience Framework in Practice. Social Work Now, 36(1), 5–14. Retrieved from http://natlib.govt.nz/records/21458105.
Walsh, F. (2016a). Applying a Family Resilience Framework in Training, Practice, and Research: Mastering the Art of the Possible. Family Process, 55(4), 616–632. DOI: 10.1111/famp.12260.
Walsh, F. (2016b). Family resilience: A developmental systems framework. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 13(3), 313–324. doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2016.1154035.
Widiono, S., Wahyuni, E. S., Kolopaking, L. M., & Satria, A. (2024). Livelihood Vulnerability of Indigenous People to Climate Change Around the Kerinci Seblat National Park in Bengkulu, Indonesia. Regional Sustainability, 5(4). doi.org/10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100181.
Yuliana, L., Widiono, S., & Cahyadinata, I. (2016). Livelihood Strategies of Traditional and Modern Fisheries Households in the Sekunyit Fishermen Community, Kaur Regency, Bengkulu Province. AGRiSEP: Journal of Agricultural Socio-Economics and Agribusiness Studies, 2(1), 163–175. DOI: 10.31186/jagrisep.15.2.163-176.