Maternal Work Motivation, Work–Family Balance, and Family Subjective Well-Being

Istiqlaliyah Muflikhati; Octaria Intan Cahayani; Pudji Muljono; Irni Rahmayani Johan; Ismayanti Pratiwi

doi:10.70211/wesw.v3i1.407

Authors

Istiqlaliyah Muflikhati Institut Pertanian Bogor Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9949-0499
Octaria Intan Cahayani Institut Pertanian Bogor Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8002-308X
Pudji Muljono Institut Pertanian Bogor Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3162-8816
Irni Rahmayani Johan Institut Pertanian Bogor Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7419-1407
Ismayanti Pratiwi Institut Pertanian Bogor Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1896-3313

DOI 10.70211/wesw.v3i1.407

Article Integrity

Article Metrics

676 Article Views 332 PDF Downloads 0 Crossref Citations

Abstract

The participation of women, particularly mothers, in the workforce has continued to increase, bringing various challenges in balancing work demands and family responsibilities, which may affect family well-being. This study aimed to analyze the effects of maternal work motivation and work–family balance on family well-being and to examine their implications for children’s educational development. The study employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design using a survey method conducted across Indonesia. Data were collected through a survey method involving families with working mothers who had preschool- and school-aged children. The respondents were mothers, and the study covered several regions in Indonesia. A total of 108 families participated in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicated that maternal work motivation, work–family balance, and family well-being were generally at a moderate level (57.4%). Economic motivation was identified as the dominant reason for mothers to engage in paid work. The SEM analysis revealed that work–family balance had a significant positive direct effect on family well-being. In addition, maternal work motivation had a positive effect (with coefficient 0.577) on both work–family balance (with coefficient 0.479) and family well-being. These findings highlight the importance of maternal work motivation and balanced role management in promoting family well-being among working-mother families. One implication of this research is that working mothers can continue to play an active role in their children's educational development while effectively maintaining a conducive learning environment at home, thereby contributing significantly to the implementation of education within the family.

Keywords

Education Family Well-being Work-Family Balance Work Motivation Working Mother

References

1

[1] B.N. Tiwari, "Encouraging women's participation in the labour force to advance gender equality and a just transition in Asia and the Pacific," UNDP Technical Lead and Coordinator for the 2025 Asia-Pacific SDG Partnership Report, Policy Brief, 27 June 2025. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2025-06/undp-rbap-policy-brief-encouraging-womens-participation-in-the-labor-force-to-advance-ge.pdf

2

[2] Central Bureau of Statistics, "Labor force participation rate by gender," Badan Pusat Statistik Indonesia, 2024. https://www.bps.go.id/id/statistics-table/2/MjIwMCMy/tingkat-partisipasi-angkatan-kerja-menurut-jenis-kelamin.html

3

[3] E. Karmeli and I. Julisatina, "Factors that motivate housewives' work participation in improving family income," J. Econ. & Bus., vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 9-19, 2023. https://doi.org/10.58406/jeb.v11i1.1149

4

[4] A. Maudy and N.M. Noor, "Participation of female labor in improving family well-being (case study at Nalogaten market, Sleman district, Yogyakarta)," J. Al-Ijtim., vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 377-392, 2022. https://doi.org/10.22373/al-ijtimaiyyah.v8i2.15634

5

[5] A.D. Riwinda and M.S. Perdhana, "Literature study on dual roles in female workers," Diponegoro J. Manag., vol. 11, no. 4, 2022. https://ejournal3.undip.ac.id/index.php/djom/article/view/36553

6

[6] Biro Hukum Sekretariat Jenderal Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan, "Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 11 Tahun 2020 Tentang Cipta Kerja, Tambahan Lembaran Negara Republik Indonesia Nomor 6573," 2020. https://jdih.kemnaker.go.id/asset/data_puu/2020uuciptaker11.pdf

7

[7] R. Hartati, "Psychological well-being in working mothers," Innov.: J. Soc. Sci. Res., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1544-1555, 2024. https://doi.org/10.31004/innovative.v4i1.7986

8

[8] L.D. Ayuningrum, M.D. Arini, N. Musonah, and A.M. Pratiwi, "Comparisons between the role of working mothers and housewives in the development of children aged 3-5 years," Sci. J. Midwifery, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 152-158, 2024. https://doi.org/10.56013/jurnalmidz.v7i2.3318

9

[9] N. Aprianti, H. Khotimah, H., and H. Sudrajat, "Parenting provided by working mothers to children on the social development of early childhood: a literature study," Social: J. Soc. Stud. Educ. Innov., vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 754-762, 2024. https://doi.org/10.51878/social.v5i1.4492

10

[10] F.Y. Rakhmawati, "Working mothers' communication in building attachment with children," Tuturlogi: J. South. Asian Comm., vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 89-102, 2022. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.tuturlogi.2021.002.02.1

11

[11] Y.N. Fajriyati, S. Lestari, and W.S. Hertinjung, "The experiences of working mothers with toddlers in achieving work-family balance," J. Psikol. Ula., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 59-78, 2023. https://doi.org/10.24854/jpu477

12

[12] R.P. Sari, "Mothers' motivation to work and the family development stage of adolescent children in Tangerang City," J. Health, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2020. https://doi.org/10.37048/kesehatan.v9i1.131

13

[13] R. Alimi, and R.S. Darwis, "The quality of family interactions with the working conditions of mothers," Focus: J. Soc. Work, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 27-36, 2022. https://doi.org/10.24198/focus.v5i1.39609

14

[14] R. Putrihapsari, and P.Y. Fauziah, "Early childhood care management for working mothers: a literature study," JIV-J. Ilm. Vis., vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 127-136, 2020. https://doi.org/10.21009/JIV.1502.4

15

[15] M.D. Mayangsari, and D. Amalia, "Work-life balance in career women," Ecopsy J., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 43-50, 2018. https://doi.org/10.20527/ecopsy.v5i1.4884

16

[16] M.E.S. Melati, and R. Rizkillah, "Job motivation, work-family conflict, and job satisfaction of formal working mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic," J. Chil., Fam., and Cons. Stud., vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 81-95, 2022. https://doi.org/10.29244/jcfcs.1.2.81-95

17

[17] A. Wijayanto, K. Novitasari, and A.A. Dewi, "Problems in working mothers in early children's care," Educ., vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 159-165, 2022. https://doi.org/10.15294/edukasi.v16i2.41563

18

[18] A. Wardiyah, Rilyani, and Nirwanto, "The impact of working mothers on quality time with children," Proc. 1st Int. Health Conf. STIKes Panca Bhakti, pp. 68-75, 2023. https://ejournal.pancabhakti.ac.id/index.php/ihcpb/article/view/249

19

[19] R.E. Fanggidae, I.A. Tadu, and N.P. Nursiani, "Analyzing work-life balance and productivity of working mothers with children with special needs," Annals of Hum. Res. Man. Res., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 451-461, 2025. https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v5i2.3122

20

[20] A. Handayani, T. Afiatin, M.G. Adiyanti, and F. Himam, "Factors impacting work family balance of working mothers," Anima, Ind. Psy. J., vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 178-190, 2015. https://doi.org/10.24123/aipj.v30i4.550

21

[21] G.E. Putri, and A. Satrya, "Triple burden or triple strength? Exploring work-study-family balance among parents," Edel. App. Sci. and Tech., vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 2281-2304, 2025. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i6.8368

22

[22] I. Tjingovera, A. Murangi, and W.R. Pieters, "Work-life balance, well-being and work engagement: The case of working mothers in Namibia," SA J. Hum. Res. Man., vol. 23, no. 0, pp. 1683-7584, 2025. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v23i0.3099

23

[23] A. Alotaibi, and T. Aldossry, "Work-life balance of working mothers in the healthcare industry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia," J. Soc. Ser. Res., vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 14-24, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2023.2271037

24

[24] N. Gridiron, "Working mothers, work-life balance, locus of control, and perceived supportive factors," Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies, Walden University, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4784&context=dissertations

25

[25] M. Jannah, S.R. Kamsani, and N.M. Ariffin, "Adult development: Tasks and obstacles for post-peace conflict victims," Bunayya: J. Child Educ., vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 114-143, 2021. https://doi.org/10.22373/bunayya.v7i2.10430

26

[26] E.H. Jacobus, P. Kindangen, and E.N. Walewangko, "Analysis of factors influencing household poverty in North Sulawesi," J. Reg. Econ. and Fin. Dev., vol. 9, no. 7, pp. 86-102, 2018. https://ejournal.unsrat.ac.id/index.php/jpekd/article/download/32744/30937

27

[27] A.F. Alifah, and H. Anwar, "Work-family conflict and work stress levels in working mothers who experience long work hours," PESHUM: J. Educ., Soc. and Hum., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 131-139, 2023. https://doi.org/10.56799/peshum.v3i1.2650

28

[28] E. Parimita, S. Khoiriyah, and A.W. Handaru, "The influence of work motivation and compensation to satisfaction workplace satisfaction among PT Tridaya Eramina Bahari employees," Indon. J. Manag. Sci. Res. (JRMSI), vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 125-144, 2018. https://doi.org/10.21009/JRMSI

29

[29] M. Heriyanto, L. Farida, and F.K. Andini, "Women's work to increase family income in coastal areas," J. Bus. Appl., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 63-68, 2017. https://www.academia.edu/download/100014761/4918.pdf

30

[30] M.W. Rosiano, T. Hardjajani, and M. Yusuf, "The relationship between the need for self-actualization and work stress in female nurses with dual roles at Dr. Soeradji Tirtonegoro General Hospital, Klaten," J. Psychol., vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 17-29, 2015. https://doi.org/10.13057/wacana.v7i1.73

31

[31] B. Schnettler, et al., "Testing the spillover-crossover model between work-life balance and satisfaction in different domains of life in dual-earner households," Appl. Res. Qual. Life, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 1475-1501, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09828-z

32

[32] Q. Chen, et al., "Stress in balancing work and family among working parents in Hong Kong," Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, vol. 19, no. 9, pp. 5589, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095589

33

[33] B. Lin, Z. Xu, and S. Zhao, "Research on the relationship between work-family balance and innovation performance of college teachers—mediating effect of subjective well-being," ICIC Exp. Lett., Part B: Appl., vol. 11, no. 7, pp. 641-647, 2020. https://doi.org/10.24507/icicelb.11.07.641

34

[34] M. Finthariasari, et al., "The effect of work-family conflict on turnover intention through organizational commitment," J. Econ. and Fin., vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 421-438, 2020. https://doi.org/10.24034/j25485024.y2020.v4.i3.4584

35

[35] R.O.V.R. Rizma, L. Sari, and B.C. Utami, "The influence of education level, age, and husband's income level on married women's work participation in the manufacturing industry sector in Pelalawan Regency," J. Soc. and Polit. Issues, pp. 221-226, 2023. https://doi.org/10.58835/jspi.v3i4.249

36

[36] M.K. Siswati, and H. Puspitawati, "Gender roles, decision-making, and the welfare of dual-earner families," J. Know. Fam. & Cons., vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 169-180, 2017. https://doi.org/10.24156/jikk.2017.10.3.169

37

[37] R. Christoper, R. Chodijah, and Y. Yunisvita, "Factors that influence the income of female workers as housewives," J. Econ. and Dev., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 35-52, 2017. https://jep.ejournal.unsri.ac.id/index.php/jep/article/view/8820

38

[38] I.K.Y. Adityawira, and S. Supriyadi, "The relationship between work-family conflict and work motivation with social support as a moderating variable in Balinese female nurses in hospitals in Bali," Udayana J. Psychol., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 183-197, 2017. https://doi.org/10.24843/JPU.2017.v04.i01.p18

39

[39] M. Silitonga, and I. Muflikhati, "Social capital, economic coping, husband's stress symptoms and subjective family well-being in migrant worker families," JKKP (J. Fam. well-being and Educ.), vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 20-30, 2018. https://doi.org/10.21009/JKKP.051.03

40

[40] A. Ananta, et al., "Education, health, and economy: Pillars of family well-being in East Kalimantan," Pendas Mahakam: J. Elem. Sch. Educ. and Lear., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 128-135, 2024. https://jurnal.fkip-uwgm.ac.id/index.php/pendasmahakam/article/view/1827

41

[41] D. Tuwu, "The role of female workers in fulfilling family economic needs: from domestic roles to the public sector," Al-Izzah: J. Res. Res., pp. 63-76, 2018. https://doi.org/10.31332/ai.v13i1.872

42

[42] Y.G. Feriyanti, D. Sari, and N. Asni, "Peran ibu dalam rumah tangga dalam meningkatkan prestasi anak," Ahsani Taq.: J. Pend. dan Keg., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 84-98, 2025. https://ejournal.yayasanbhz.org/index.php/AhsaniTaqwim/article/view/196

43

[43] T. Febrianti, et al., "Analysis of working mother's status and the development of preschool age children in Bengkulu City," J. Mit. Kes. (JMK), vol. 07, no. 01, pp. 84-95, 2024. https://doi.org/10.47522/jmk.v7i1.371

44

[44] Ulfah, "Dampak ibu bekerja terhadap perkembangan sosial anak usia dini di RA Ar-rahmah Pragaan Sumenep (Vygotsky)," Al-athfal, vol. 05, no. 02, 2, pp. 462-478, 2024. https://doi.org/10.46773/alathfal.v5i2.1510

45

[45] J.A. Lieu, F. Rofiyart, and M. Arif, "Pola asuh ibu bekerja dalam mendidik kemandirian anak usia dini," MOTORIC (Med. Teach. Orient. and Child.), vol. 6, no. 2, Dec. 2022, pp. 389-401. http://jurnal.narotama.ac.id/index.php/paudmotoric/article/view/2142

46

[46] S.I. Ramadhani, and Y. Kadarisman, "Pelaksanaan fungsi keluarga pada ibu yang bekerja di PT. Alam Permata Riau Perawang," IJEDR: Indon. J. Educ. and Dev. Res., vol. 3, no. 1, Jan. 2025, pp. 492-498. https://rayyanjurnal.com/index.php/IJEDR/article/view/4766/pdf