The The Distortion of Bhakti Value and Family Functional Crisis: A Social-Ecological Resilience Perspective on Narcotics Abuse among Balinese Women

Women’s involvement in narcotics offenses reflects the interaction of family dysfunction, cultural expectations, and socio-ecological vulnerability; among Balinese women, bhakti may become problematic when interpreted as unconditional obedience to male authority. This study aimed to examine socio-ecological risk factors, family dynamics, and distortions of bhakti contributing to narcotics abuse among Balinese women. A qualitative case study involved two incarcerated Balinese women selected purposively. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework and Ungar’s Social-Ecological Resilience Theory. The findings revealed two risk typologies. For the unmarried participant, narcotics use was associated with family conflict, paternal inconsistency, sibling influence, a permissive work environment, and escapist coping since adolescence. For the married participant, narcotics involvement emerged from a distorted interpretation of bhakti toward the husband, encouraging excessive obedience and codependent criminal involvement. These findings indicate that individual vulnerability, family dysfunction, and culturally embedded power relations interact in shaping narcotics-related risks, highlighting the need for culturally responsive rehabilitation that strengthens family functioning, women’s assertiveness, and critical interpretations of bhakti.