Gaps In The Implementation of Maternity Leave Policy And Its Impact on The Mental Health of Working Mothers In Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59050/jian.v22i1.294Keywords:
maternity leave, maternal mental health, policy implementation, street level bureaucracy, public value, IndonesiaAbstract
Maternal mental health, including postpartum depression, is a growing concern in Indonesia. Despite legislative advances (e.g., Law No.4/2024 extending maternity leave), gaps remain between policy and practice. This study examines how Indonesia’s maternity leave implementation gap affects maternal mental health using public policy frameworks. A qualitative literature review was conducted of relevant Indonesian and international studies. Analysis applied Street-Level Bureaucracy theory (highlighting frontline implementers’ discretion), the Public Value perspective, and the CFIR implementation framework. We found recurring implementation barriers: limited enforcement and awareness of leave rights, employer non-compliance, and social norms discouraging leave utilization. Survey data indicate about one-third of eligible mothers did not receive the full statutory leave, and 59% did not get full wage replacement during leave. These gaps were linked to elevated stress and depressive symptoms among new mothers. International evidence suggests that more restrictive maternity leave policies are associated with higher rates of postpartum depression. From a public value standpoint, the policy’s intent to protect maternal well-being is undermined without effective execution. Findings highlight the need to strengthen enforcement, workplace accountability, and integrate maternal mental health support into maternal care. These frameworks suggest that holistic strategies (e.g., monitoring mechanisms, implementer training) are needed to bridge the implementation gap and improve outcomes for mothers.
References
Anderson, M. E., Putri, A. R., & Cabrera, E. J. (2025). Advocating for paid maternity leave and workplace lactation policy reform and implementation: Lessons from Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines and Vietnam. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 21(2), e13784. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13784
Ariasih, A., Besral, Budiharsana, M., & Ronoatmodjo, S. (2024). Common mental disorders and associated factors during pregnancy and the postpartum period in Indonesia: An analysis of data from the 2018 Basic Health Research. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 57(4), 388–398. https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.082
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
b Greenhaus, J. H., & Beutell, N. J. (1985). Sources of conflict between work and family roles. Academy of Management Review, 10(1), 76‑88. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1985.4277352
Carlson, D. S., Grzywacz, J. G., & Zivnuska, S. (2009). Is work–family balance more than conflict and enrichment? Human Relations, 62(10), 1459–1486. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726709336500Erasmus, E. (2014). Street-level bureaucracy and public health services delivery: a scoping review. Health Policy and Planning, 29(suppl_2), ii98–ii112. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czu084
Chen, M. A. (2021). The informal economy: Definitions, theories, and policies. Studies in Comparative International Development, 56(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12116-021-09322-8
Fisher, J., Cabral de Mello, M., Patel, V., Rahman, A., Tran, T., Holton, S., & Holmes, W. (2012). Prevalence and determinants of common perinatal mental disorders in women in low- and lower-middle-income countries: A systematic review. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 90, 139–149. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.11.091850
Howard, L. M., Molyneaux, E., Dennis, C. L., Rochat, T., Stein, A., & Milgrom, J. (2014). Non-psychotic mental disorders in the perinatal period. The Lancet, 384(9956), 1775–1788. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61276-9Hidalgo-Padilla, L., Toyama, M., Zafra-Tanaka, J. H., Vives, A., & Diez-Canseco, F. (2023). Association between maternity leave policies and postpartum depression: A systematic review. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 26(4), 433–446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01294-6
International Labour Organization. (2020). Maternity protection resource package: From aspirations to reality for all. https://www.ilo.org/publications/maternity-protection-resource-package
Karasek, R. A., & Theorell, T. (1990). Healthy work: Stress, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life. Basic Books.
Lipsky, M. (1980). Street-level bureaucracy: Dilemmas of the individual in public services. Russell Sage Foundation.
Moore, M. H. (1995). Creating public value: Strategic management in government. Harvard University Press.
Heshmati, A., Honkaniemi, H., & Juárez, S. P. (2023). The effect of parental leave on parents’ mental health: A systematic review. The Lancet Public Health, 8(1), e57–e75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(22)00311-5
Payán, D. D., Zahid, N., Glenn, J., Ha, T. T. T., Huong, T. T. T., & Moucheraud, C. (2022). Implementation of two policies to extend maternity leave and further restrict marketing of breast milk substitutes in Vietnam: A qualitative study. Health Policy and Planning, 37(4), 472–482. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czab116
Setyonaluri, D., Aninditya, F., Radjiman, D. S., Fasikha, E., Fajri, N., Aryaputra, C., & Tsuruga, I. (2023). Maternity leave in metropolitan Indonesia: Evidence on duration, benefits and job protection [PDF]. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo-jakarta/documents/publication/wcms_888511.pdf
Siregar, A. Y. M., Pitriyan, P., Hardiawan, D., Zambrano, P., & Mathisen, R. (2021). The financing need of equitable provision of paid maternal leave in the informal sector in Indonesia: A comparison of estimation methods. International Journal for Equity in Health, 20(1), Article 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-021-01431-4
