Academic and Family Balance: A Comparative Study of Married Postgraduate Students in Islamic Higher Education in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i1.14Keywords:
Married students, Islamic Universities, Indonesia, Brunei DarussalamAbstract
This study aims to compare the experiences of married students in maintaining a balance between academic and family life in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. This study used a comparative qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. Data analysis was conducted using the Miles and Huberman model. This study's findings show significant differences and similarities in the motives for continuing postgraduate studies between married students in Brunei and Indonesia. Students in Brunei tend to be driven by internal motives such as self-development and personal satisfaction, with government support and scholarship programs playing an important role in their motivation. In contrast, students in Indonesia focus more on career achievement and professional incentives such as salary increases and scholarships, as well as personal satisfaction from academic achievement. Significant differences also emerged in academic achievement, domestic relationships, and career progression. The financial support provided by the Brunei government allows students to focus more on their studies and maintain a balanced home life. In contrast, students in Indonesia often have to bear the financial burden alone, which results in stress and delays in graduation. Financial pressures in Indonesia also affect the stability of domestic relationships and long-term career planning, with students focusing more on short-term employment than future planning. These findings support the Work-Family Balance theory, providing recommendations that institutional religion and cultural norms should develop adaptive policies so that students can face dual demands in a balanced manner.
Downloads
References
Abbas, S., Latif, M., & Anjum, R. (2023). Unveiling the Veil: Understanding the Impact of Adultery and Fornication on Societal Discontent and Remedies Suggested in a Pakistani Context: A Comprehensive Study. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 4(IV). https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2023(4-IV)42
Abdullah, N. & Mohamed Abdelmagid. (2023). Empowering Thinking and Moral Formation in Muslim Women Through the Philosophical Inquiry (PI) Approach. AL-BURHĀN: JOURNAL OF QURʾĀN AND SUNNAH STUDIES, 7(2), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.31436/alburhn.v7i2.311
Adams, C., & Nguyen, T. (2023). Work, Study, and Family Life: The Balance of Postgraduate Students in Developing Countries. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 47(1), 34–50.
Allison, R. (2023). “Why wait?”: Early marriage among Southern college students. Journal of Marriage and Family, 85(4), 923–940. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12910
AL-Momani, M. O. (2024). The Degree of Parents’ Practice of The Good Role Model Style Included in Islamic Educational Thought from The Point of View of University Students. At-Tadzkir: Islamic Education Journal, 3(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.59373/attadzkir.v3i2.68
Arum, W. S. A., Karnati, N., Robby, D. K., Ramadita, T. N., Sanjaya, H., & Hidayaty, L. (2024). Development of Learning Supervision Model Website Based on Improving Teacher Performance at Elementary School. Nidhomul Haq : Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 9(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.31538/ndh.v9i1.4325
Azizah, I., & Mardiana, D. (2024). Learning Transformation: Increasing Student Achievement through Discovery Learning. Dirasah International Journal of Islamic Studies, 2(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.59373/drs.v2i2.42
Bandura, A. (2000). Health Promotion from the Perspective of Social Cognitive Theory. In Understanding and Changing Health Behaviour. Psychology Press.
Boss, P. (2023). Family Stress. In F. Maggino (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research (pp. 2422–2429). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17299-1_1008
Bourdieu, P., & Lamaison, P. (1985). Nouvelles de...: De la règle aux stratégies : entretien avec Pierre Bourdieu. Terrain, 4, 93–100. https://doi.org/10.4000/terrain.2875
Bowen, M. (2012). Family Systems Theory. UK Publishing.
Bowen, M. (2024). Nuclear Family Emotional System And Family Projection Process. Family Systems: A Journal of Natural Systems Thinking in Psychiatry & the Sciences, 18(2).
Cardy, R., & Leonard, B. (2014). Performance Management: Concepts, Skills and Exercises. Routledge.
Chambliss, R. (1961). Married Students at a State University. Journal of Educational Sociology, 34(9), 409. https://doi.org/10.2307/2264519
Chaney, C. (2020). Family Stress and Coping Among African Americans in the Age of COVID-19. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 51(3–4), 254–273. https://doi.org/10.3138/jcfs.51.3-4.003
Christopherson, V. A., Vandiver, J. S., & Krueger, M. N. (1960). The Married College Student, 1959. Marriage and Family Living, 22(2), 122. https://doi.org/10.2307/347327
Clark, D. B., Hernández-Zavaleta, J. E., & Becker, S. (2023). Academically meaningful play: Designing digital games for the classroom to support meaningful gameplay, meaningful learning, and meaningful access. Computers & Education, 194, 104704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104704
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2004). Handbook of Self-determination Research. University Rochester Press.
Dressel, F. B. (1965). Logic, Research and the Married College Student. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 43(9), 920–924. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2164-4918.1965.tb02849.x
Fakhyadi, D., & Samsudin, M. A. (2024). Islamic Law Meets Minangkabau Customs: Navigating Forbidden Marriages in Tanah Datar. El-Mashlahah, 14(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.23971/el-mashlahah.v14i1.7364
Fauzi, A., Imroatun, I., Jumaela, A., Rohmiyati, Y., & Nasrudin, A. (2022). Do Professional Teachers Not Experience Stress? How does Islamic Perspective Manage Stress? Nidhomul Haq : Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 7(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.31538/ndh.v7i2.2272
Firano, I. (2024). Objectives of Islamic Marriage: A Study of the Primary and Subsidiary Objectives: مقاصد الزواج الشرعية ـ دراسةٌ لأهم مقاصد الزواج الأصلية والتبعية. Dirasah International Journal of Islamic Studies, 2(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.59373/drs.v2i1.21
Friedline, T., Chen, Z., & Morrow, S. (2021). Families’ Financial Stress & Well-Being: The Importance of the Economy and Economic Environments. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 42(S1), 34–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-020-09694-9
Guillen, M. (2020). Motivation in Organisations: Searching for a Meaningful Work-Life Balance (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429317293
Harker, R., Mahar, C., & Wilkes, C. (2016). An Introduction to the Work of Pierre Bourdieu: The Practice of Theory. Springer.
Hayashi, P., Abib, G., & Hoppen, N. (2019). Validity in Qualitative Research: A Processual Approach. The Qualitative Report, 24(1), 98–112. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3443
Ibsen, C. A. (1967). The Married College Student: A Problem of Role Congruence. The Family Life Coordinator, 16(1/2), 21. https://doi.org/10.2307/581577
Idrus, A., Mohzana, M., Jarmita, N., Rahman, K., & Shobri, M. (2023). Increasing Student Learning Achievement Through Madrasah Head Strategy Management. Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education, 4(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.31538/tijie.v4i2.472
Jackson, E., & Ahmad, M. (2023). Comparative Analysis of Academic Motivation and Support Systems in Graduate Education: Indonesia vs. Brunei. Educational Studies, 49(2), 223–239.
Jinalee, N., & Singh, D. A. K. (2018). A descriptive study of time management models and theories. International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research and Management, 3(9), 141–147.
Johnson, L., & Patel, K. (2022). Impact of Financial Stress on Academic Performance and Career Prospects: A Study of Students in Developing Countries. Studies in Higher Education, 47(4), 487–502.
Junaydulloyevich, A. M., & Haydarqulovich, Q. H. (2021). The Development of Effective Ways to Improve Reproductive Health of Married Student Girls. Web of Scientist: International Scientific Research Journal, 2(04), Article 04.
Khusaini, M., Hariri, H., Pratama, M. R., & Rahmatan, M. (2022). Creating a Harmonious Family Through Social Media Facebook in West Lampung. El-Mashlahah, 12(2), 139–152. https://doi.org/10.23971/el-mashlahah.v12i2.3937
Kurniawan, H., & Chan, J. (2020). Economic Burden and Academic Performance: Insights from Indonesian and Bruneian Students. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 10(3), 112–127.
Kustati, M., Kosim, M., Sermal, S., Fajri, S., & Febriani, S. R. (2024). The Model for Maintaining Families with Noble Character During the Pandemic in Kampung KB Villages. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 12(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v12i1.1126
Latupapua, C. V., Attamimi, R., & Putri, A. M. C. (2021). Work-Family Conflict dan Komitmen Organisasi; Dimediasi Kepuasan Kerja. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 5(3), 8187–8201. https://doi.org/10.31004/jptam.v5i3.2319
Mahmudah, U., Maylansari, A., & Ruhma, A. (2024). The Implementation of Bowen’s Theory in Family Problems. G-Couns: Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 9(1), 498–504. https://doi.org/10.31316/gcouns.v9i1.5820
Maslow, A. H. (2023). Motivation and Personality: Motivation And Personality: Unlocking Your Inner Drive and Understanding Human Behavior by A. H. Maslow. Prabhat Prakashan.
Maslow, A., & Lewis, K. J. (1987). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs [Salenger Incorporated]. https://www.researchhistory.org/2012/06/16/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs/
Masoodi, M. (2017). A comparative analysis of two qualitative methods: Deciding between grounded theory and phenomenology for your research. Profesinis Rengimas: Tyrimai Ir Realijos, 28, 23–40.
Metcalf, L. (2023). Marriage and Family Therapy: A Practice-Oriented Approach (3rd ed). Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, M. (1984). Qualitative Data Analysis. Baverly Hills. SAGE Publications.
Murty, K. S., & Roebuck, J. B. (2015). African American HBCU Students’ Attitudes and Actions Toward Interracial Dating & Marriage: A Survey Analysis. Race, Gender & Class, 22(3–4), 136–153.
Mustofa, A. Z. (2022). Hierarchy of Human Needs: A Humanistic Psychology Approach of Abraham Maslow. Kawanua International Journal of Multicultural Studies, 3(2), 30–35. https://doi.org/10.30984/kijms.v3i2.282
Navy, S. L. (2020). Theory of Human Motivation—Abraham Maslow. In B. Akpan & T. J. Kennedy (Eds.), Science Education in Theory and Practice (pp. 17–28). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43620-9_2
Noori, A. Q., & Orfan, S. N. (2021). The Challenges of Undergraduate Married Female Students in Higher Education: A case study of Takhar University. Journal of World Englishes and Educational Practices, 3(6), 09–18. https://doi.org/10.32996/jweep.2021.3.6.2
Nurmawati, N., Panjaitan, C. J., & Amri, K. (2022). Measurement of the Parenting Style of the Character of Millennial Students at State Islamic Higher Educational Institutions. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 10(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v10i3.712
O’Brien, S., & Ó Fathaigh, M. (2005). Bringing in Bourdieu’s theory of social capital: Renewing learning partnership approaches to social inclusion. Irish Educational Studies, 24(1), 65–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/03323310500184509
Ogundare, P., & Omotosho, B. J. (2022). The Relevance of Expectancy Theory in Explaining Employee Performance and Productivity (SSRN Scholarly Paper 4553246). Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4553246
Oktosatrio, S. (2018, January 11). Investigating the Relationship between Work-Life-Balance and Motivation of the Employees: Evidences from the Local Government of Jakarta [MPRA Paper]. https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/85084/
Paden, J. N. (2023). Religion and Political Culture in Kano. Univ of California Press.
Pérez Alonso, M. A., & Moreno De Castro, B. A. (2020). Resilience and Entrepreneurship, Aligning Theoretical and Methodological Approaches. In M. H. Bilgin, H. Danis, & E. Demir (Eds.), Eurasian Business Perspectives (Vol. 14/2, pp. 315–328). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52294-0_21
Pritania, N., & Sandora, L. (2024). Talcott Person’s Structural Functionalism Approach Efforts to Preserve the Kenduri Sko Tradition of the Kerinci Community. Scientific Magazine Based: Talimat, Culture, Religion and Humanities, 28(1), Article 1.
Rakow, C. M. (2022). Making Sense of Human Life: Murray Bowen’s Determined Effort Toward Family Systems Theory (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003027287
Rohman, A., Meraj, G., Isna, A., Taruna, M. M., Rachmadhani, A., Atmanto, N. E., & Nasikhin, N. (2024). Challenges in Islamic Education Curriculum Development: A Comparative Study of Indonesia, Pakistan, and India. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 23(6), 504–523. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.6.23
Safonov, Y., Maslennikov, Y., & Kashubskyi, A. (2017). Time management and its implementation at production companies. Baltic Journal of Economic Studies, 3(1), Article 1.
Schuler, F. D. M. G., & Dias, C. M. D. S. B. (2014). Migration for Love? A Study of Brazilian Women Married to Swiss Men. Journal of Psychology Research, 4(01). https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5542/2014.01.007
Siisiäinen, M. (2003). Two Concepts of Social Capital: Bourdieu vs. Putnam. International Journal of Contemporary Sociology, 40(2), 183–204.
Sisti, L. G., Buonsenso, D., Moscato, U., Costanzo, G., & Malorni, W. (2023). The Role of Religions in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 1691. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031691
Smith, D., & Tan, R. (2021). External and Internal Motivators for Postgraduate Studies: A Comparative Study of Brunei and Indonesia. Journal of Education and Work, 34(1), 77–92.
Super, D. E. (1980). A life-span, life-space approach to career development. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 16(3), 282–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(80)90056-1
Tazkiyah, D. (2022). Adaptation of Angpao Tradition during Eid in Purwokerto: A Theoretical Perspective of Agil Talcott Parsons. Journal of Mandarin Horizon, 6(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.36279/apsmi.v6i1.156
Thomas, S., & Phillips, L. (2021). Financial Support and Academic Performance: A Comparative Study of Students in Developed and Developing Countries. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 43(3), 350–367.
Vosylis, R., Erentaitė, R., & Klimstra, T. (2021). The Material Context of Adolescent Identity Formation: A Family Economic Stress Approach. Identity, 21(3), 200–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/15283488.2020.1836491
Williams, A., & Lee, M. (2020). The Impact of Financial Aid on Students’ Academic Performance and Career Planning: Evidence from Southeast Asia. International Journal of Educational Management, 34(5), 556–572.
Zaini, M., Barnoto, B., & Ashari, A. (2023). Improving Teacher Performance and Education Quality through Madrasah Principal Leadership. Kharisma: Jurnal Administrasi Dan Manajemen Pendidikan, 2(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.59373/kharisma.v2i2.23
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmad Muthohar, Raharjo Raharjo, Anis Malik Thoha, Nasikhin Nasikhin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Mendeley
Zotero
Grammarly
Spelling & Grammar
Turnitin 
