Email this article Burden or Duty?: The Dynamics of Welfare and Careers for Women of the Sandwich Generation
Abstract
ENGLISH: This study aims to present a conceptual synthesis of the impact of women's roles as the sandwich generation on their health, well-being, and careers. Using a narrative literature review approach, this article analyzes 30 Scopus-indexed articles and books published between 2000 and 2025 that discuss women who work while caring for two generations, namely children and parents. The results show that sandwich generation women face higher levels of stress and work-family conflict, as well as irregular self-care practices, which lead to greater health risks. However, negative impacts on subjective health and life satisfaction do not always occur, because in some contexts, the caregiving role provides meaning and social recognition. The burden becomes a problem when caregiving and work demands are not balanced with effective coping strategies, family support, and organizational policies. This study proposes a conceptual model that formulates ways to balance the demands and resources of sandwich generation women. The implication of this study is the importance of human resource management policies that are more responsive to the specific needs of sandwich generation women in Indonesia.
INDONESIAN: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyajikan sintesis konseptual mengenai dampak peran perempuan sebagai generasi sandwich terhadap kesehatan, kesejahteraan, dan karir mereka. Menggunakan pendekatan tinjauan pustaka naratif, artikel ini menganalisis 30 artikel dan buku terindeks Scopus yang dipublikasikan antara tahun 2000 hingga 2025, yang membahas perempuan yang bekerja sambil mengasuh dua generasi, yakni anak dan orang tua. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perempuan generasi sandwich menghadapi tingkat stres dan konflik kerja-keluarga yang lebih tinggi, serta praktik perawatan diri yang kurang teratur, yang berujung pada risiko kesehatan yang lebih besar. Namun, dampak negatif terhadap kesehatan subjektif dan kepuasan hidup tidak selalu terjadi, karena dalam beberapa konteks, peran pengasuhan memberi makna dan pengakuan sosial. Beban menjadi masalah ketika tuntutan pengasuhan dan pekerjaan tidak diimbangi dengan strategi koping yang efektif, dukungan keluarga, serta kebijakan organisasi. Penelitian ini mengusulkan model konseptual yang merumuskan cara untuk menyeimbangkan tuntutan dan sumber daya yang dimiliki perempuan generasi sandwich. Implikasi dari penelitian ini adalah pentingnya kebijakan manajemen sumber daya manusia yang lebih responsif terhadap kebutuhan spesifik perempuan generasi sandwich di Indonesia.
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References
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29300/hawapsga.v7i2.10138
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