<![CDATA[This study seeks to examine the phenomenon of the “sandwich generation” in contemporary Indonesia from both psychological and religious perspectives. The research is significant due to the increasing economic pressures on families, which have compelled many individuals to support their parents while simultaneously meeting their own needs, thereby impacting mental health and family dynamics. Previous studies have predominantly concentrated on economic and social dimensions, leaving a gap in understanding the interplay between psychological stress, cultural values, and the concept of filial piety within Islam. Employing a qualitative methodology, this research analyses the lived experiences of three informants who bear dual familial responsibilities. The findings indicate that members of the sandwich generation experience anxiety, emotional exhaustion, role conflict, and diminished self-esteem as a result of pressures stemming from family obligations, occupational demands, and personal aspirations. Furthermore, family relationships tend to adopt a more instrumental character, with children assuming the role of primary financial providers. Drawing upon Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory and the thought of Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, this study contends that a transactional interpretation of birr al-wālidayn may obscure the values of ikhlāṣ (sincerity) and raḥmah (compassion). The contribution of this research lies in its integrative approach, which bridges empirical social realities, humanistic psychology, and the Islamic intellectual tradition.]]>
