Broken home is a condition where a household is no longer intact or harmonious. Such situations are not uncommon, especially among college students. The causes may vary, from divorce or separation to the loss of a parent.
Divorce is the main factor behind many young people being raised in broken homes. This lack of family harmony ultimately affects a child’s emotional and psychological development. For example, students from divorced families tend to show lower levels of self-adjustment compared to those from intact families.
Focusing on this issue, Fipin Desfita, a student of the Master’s Program in Communication Studies at Hasanuddin University, became interested in studying the interpersonal communication of students from broken homes in their campus life. Through her research titled “Interpersonal Communication of Broken Home Students in Academic Life”, Fipin seeks a deeper understanding of the dynamics, challenges, and strategies these students use to build relationships and adapt within the academic environment.
Fipin explained that broken home students who still maintain harmonious communication with their families tend to be more socially active. However, their expressive behavior sometimes appears as an attention seeker. This happens because their need for attention is no longer fulfilled at home, prompting them to seek recognition from their social surroundings.
On the other hand, many broken home students choose to be closed off. They find it difficult to build interactions and trust others. This is understandable, as the sense of trust that should have been nurtured within the family has already collapsed. One respondent even admitted to losing self-confidence in college. They felt insecure seeing their peers receive full support from their parents while they had to rely on their own strength.
Another respondent shared about the emotional pressure caused by constant parental conflicts. Their unstable emotions made it hard to concentrate in class, and they sometimes cried without realizing it. The burden of academic assignments, coupled with their mother’s expectations, once made them consider taking a break from their studies and calm themselves down.
However, a broken home does not always stem from divorce. Another respondent shared that they experienced mental distress due to constant competition with their siblings ever since they were kids. The constant pressure made them reluctant to stay at home and feel unaccepted in their own family. There was also a student who was forced to study in a major chosen by their parents, leading to frustration and frequent comparisons with their siblings whenever their grades fell short.
Self-Disclosure of Broken Home Students in the Campus Environment
In terms of self-disclosure, most of Fipin’s research participants showed a tendency to be reserved and lacked confidence in social interactions, both on campus and in society. They viewed family issues as private matters that should not be discussed.
Nevertheless, some students found ways to express themselves through social activities outside the home. One chose to become active in campus organizations and social circles as a way to distract themselves from the discomfort at home. A supportive environment encouraged them to open up and express themselves more freely, whereas an unsupportive one made them retreat back into silence.
According to Fipin, self-awareness plays a crucial role in this process. The better someone understands themselves, the more likely they are to share their experiences with others. Interestingly, four out of five participants in her study sought counseling at Hasanuddin University’s Psychology Service as a space to talk. They felt more comfortable expressing their feelings to professionals who did not know them personally, as they did not want to be pitied by their friends.
At the end of her research, Fipin hoped that broken home students can gradually open themselves up, build confidence, and learn to trust others.
“The key is to open yourself up to socializing with friends so you can endure and grow during your time in college,” she concluded.
Read the original article in Bahasa
Original script by: Nurul Fathiyah Salsabila A
Translated by: Aqifah Naylah Alifya Safar
