Spiritual Leadership and Mental Wellbeing: The Role of Kiai in Maintaining Santri Mental Health
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v17i1.6395Keywords:
Islamic Boarding School; Kiai; Mental Health; Spiritual GuidanceAbstract
This study explores the managerial role of the Kiai in maintaining the mental health of santri at Pondok Pesantren Al-Qodiri 02, an institution known for integrating religious teachings with psychological support. Using a qualitative case study approach, data was collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis over six months. The findings reveal that the Kiai enhances santri's mental health by offering emotional connections and spiritual guidance and fostering a nurturing environment. The Kiai also serves as a role model, teaching values such as patience, perseverance, and devotion to Allah, which promote psychological resilience and character development. However, the study’s focus on a single pesantren limits its generalizability to other institutions with different leadership structures and cultural dynamics. Additionally, the reliance on qualitative data may not capture broader trends in mental health across pesantren. The study emphasizes the need for pesantren administrators to create a supportive ecosystem that strengthens Kiai's role in fostering mental well-being and equips santri with life skills for challenges beyond the pesantren setting.
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References
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Character education through philosophical values in traditional Islamic boarding schools. (2023). Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 45(1). https://doi.org/10.34044/j.kjss.2024.45.1.04
Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Exploring the Distinctions between Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.10553000
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Manouilidou, E., Papadopoulou, E. A., & Chatzikiriakou, I. (2024). Teacher Evaluation: A Triangulation Study of Data Sources. European Journal of Contemporary Education and E-Learning, 2(3), 54–73. https://doi.org/10.59324/ejceel.2024.2(3).06
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Muhammad Jamil. (2024). Exploring the Qur’anic Literacy Tradition: A Review of Traditional and Modern Pesantren in Tuban Indonesia. Fikri : Jurnal Kajian Agama, Sosial Dan Budaya, 9(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.25217/jf.v9i1.4670
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Nasarian, E., Alizadehsani, R., Acharya, U. R., & Tsui, K.-L. (2024). Designing interpretable ML system to enhance healthcare trust: A systematic review to proposed responsible clinician-AI-collaboration framework. Information Fusion, 108, 102412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inffus.2024.102412
Nawas, A., Darmawan, I. G. N., & Maadad, N. (2024). Sekolah versus madrasah: Navigating the varied effects of multilevel factors on student English reading performance. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 35(4), 413–456. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2024.2380673
Ningsih, E. I., & Salamah, U. (2024). PSIKOEDUKASI PENDAMPINGAN KESEHATAN MENTAL DI PONDOK PESANTREN RAUDHATUL ULUM LUMAJANG. 2(2).
Nudin, B. (t.t.). The Role Of Parents And Families In Children’s Education In The Digital Era.
Pasaribu, M., Khairifa, F., Ali, R., Muis, A. A., & Ritonga, M. (2024). Youth Character Building Through Quality Education in Realizing Golden Indonesia 2045. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(4), 180–192. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i4.3473
Purwaningtyas, F., Dalimunte, M., & Dewi, S. (2024). Exploring adolescents’ digital information-seeking patterns and religious behavior. Jurnal Kajian Informasi & Perpustakaan, 12(2), 251–278. https://doi.org/10.24198/jkip.v12i2.58627
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Sholihah, N., Kusaeri, Kholis, N., Muntafi’ah, U., & Huriyah, L. (2024). Istighātha Dhikr Practices Toward Human Well-Being: An Implication for Islamic Education. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 5(3), 338–352. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i3.1402
Taufiq, A., Sahdan, M. Z., & Setianingsih, D. (2024). Construction of Religious Habitus in Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools. 10.
Vedula, S. B., & Agrawal, R. K. (2024). Mapping Spiritual Leadership: A Bibliometric Analysis and Synthesis of Past Milestones and Future Research Agenda. Journal of Business Ethics, 189(2), 301–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-023-05346-8
Wulandari, K. A. (t.t.). PROGRAM STUDI BIMBINGAN DAN KONSELING ISLAM JURUSAN KONSELING DAN PENGEMBANGAN MASYARAKAT FAKULTAS DAKWAH UNIVERSITAS ISLAM NEGERI PROF. K.H. SAIFUDDIN ZUHRI PURWOKERTO 2022.
Yusutria, Y., Charles, C., Yuliana, A. T. R. D., & Yuherman, Y. (2024). Preparing millennials for tomorrow: The evolution of character education in Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools. Al-Misbah (Jurnal Islamic Studies), 12(1), 32–46. https://doi.org/10.26555/almisbah.v12i1.8234
Azhar, R. A., & Suryana, A. (2024). Implementing Spiritual Leadership Model in Improving Teacher Quality (Case Study at Pondok Pesantren Modern Al Kamil Cianjur). 10.
Character education through philosophical values in traditional Islamic boarding schools. (2023). Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 45(1). https://doi.org/10.34044/j.kjss.2024.45.1.04
Dehalwar, K., & Sharma, S. N. (2024). Exploring the Distinctions between Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.10553000
Dian, D., Hidayatulloh, R., Riyanti, T., & Aripin, J. (2024). The Role of Kiai Leadership in Developing Students’ Character at Islamic Boarding School. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(1), 234–246. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i1.4378
Elmontadzery, A. Y. F., Basori, A. R., & Mujadid, M. (2024). Internalisasi Nilai-Nilai Pendidikan Islam dalam Peningkatan Karakter Religius di MA NU Putra Buntet Pesantren Cirebon. Tsaqafatuna, 6(1), 67–81. https://doi.org/10.54213/tsaqafatuna.v6i1.413
Fain, J. A. (2024). Writing Up Rigorous Qualitative Research Reports. The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care, 50(6), 441–443. https://doi.org/10.1177/26350106241299714
Farhan, M., & Shobahiya, M. (2024). The Dynamics of Student Mental Health in Perspective Psychology of Islamic Education: Factor Analysis and Psychological Spiritual Development Strategy. Al-Fikru: Jurnal Ilmiah, 18(2), 192–205. https://doi.org/10.51672/alfikru.v18i2.531
Gafur, A., Zainuddin, M., Walid, M., & Barizi, A. (2024). Enhancing the Quality of Life for Santri: Management of Pesantren through Strengthening Clean and Healthy Living Culture. Al-Tanzim: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 8(3), 747–759. https://doi.org/10.33650/al-tanzim.v8i3.7036
Hudori, A., Ritonga, A. H., Anwar, K., Hidayat, W. N., & Mukaromah, A. (t.t.). Kiai’s leadership in human resource management of Islamic boarding schools in Jambi, Indonesia.
Ibrahim, D. (t.t.). Spiritual and Moral Development through Sufi Orders: The Role of Tarekat Qadiriyah Wa Naqsabandiyah in Shaping Santri’s Character.
Ikhwanul Abrori, Tobroni, Romelah, & Ikhwan, A. (2024). Strengthening Islamic Religious Education Values in Developing Independent Character. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 8(3), 1135–1157. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v8i3.580
Irsyadi, A. N., Rosyidi, M. H., & Agustina, Y. D. (2024). The Challenge of Mastering Arabic Language and Its Relation to the Ability to Read Kitab Kuning among Tapal Kuda Islamic Boarding School Students.
Ismail, S., Sabri, H., Asari, H., Yamin, M., & Yunus, M. M. (2024). Fostering Emotional and Moral Development in Islamic Boarding Schools: The Impact of Talaqqî and Ḥalaqa Traditions. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 10(1), 13–24. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v0i0.35124
Karunarathna, I., Gunasena, P., Hapuarachchi, T., Ekanayake, U., Rajapaksha, S., Gunawardana, K., Aluthge, P., Bandara, S., Jayawardana, A., Alvis, K. D., & Gunathilake, S. (t.t.). Comprehensive Data Collection: Methods, Challenges, and the Importance of Accuracy. Research Methodology.
Khodijah, A., Nani, I., & Rahmat, M. (2024). Religious Education as a Tool for Mental Health Improvement in Madrasah Aliyah. EDUKASI: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Agama Dan Keagamaan, 22(2), 311–323. https://doi.org/10.32729/edukasi.v22i2.1895
Kibtiyah, M., Rokhmatika, N., Algifahmy, A. F., & Khasanah, M. (t.t.). Implementasi Model Konseling Komprehensif Berbasis Pesantren.
M Faris Annabili & Shobihus Surur. (2025). Peran Kiai Dalam Menanggulangi Fenomena Bullying Di Pondok Pesantren Tahfidhul Qur’an Safinatul Huda Diwek Jombang. Millatuna: Jurnal Studi Islam, 2(01), 69–75. https://doi.org/10.33752/mjsi.v2i01.8513
Mahmud, I., & Sakinah, N. (t.t.). Modernization of Religious Practices: Challenges and Opportunities in the Technological Era.
Makalao, D. A. M., & Yusuf, I. A. W. (2024). THE EXISTENCE OF ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOLS INCREASES THE POTENTIAL AND COMPETITIVENESS OF STUDENTS TOWARD A GOLDEN INDONESIA 2045. 2(2).
Manouilidou, E., Papadopoulou, E. A., & Chatzikiriakou, I. (2024). Teacher Evaluation: A Triangulation Study of Data Sources. European Journal of Contemporary Education and E-Learning, 2(3), 54–73. https://doi.org/10.59324/ejceel.2024.2(3).06
Morgan, H. (2024). Using Triangulation and Crystallization to Make Qualitative Studies Trustworthy and Rigorous. The Qualitative Report. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2024.6071
Muhammad Jamil. (2024). Exploring the Qur’anic Literacy Tradition: A Review of Traditional and Modern Pesantren in Tuban Indonesia. Fikri : Jurnal Kajian Agama, Sosial Dan Budaya, 9(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.25217/jf.v9i1.4670
Muttaqin, M. I., Hambali, M., Ismail, A. B., Mulyadi, M., & Hady, M. S. (2024). Optimizing Mental Health in Islamic Boarding School Students: Balancing Physical and Mental Endurance for Effective Qur’an Memorization. Al-Tanzim: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 8(2), 675–688. https://doi.org/10.33650/al-tanzim.v8i2.8470
Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2024). Demystification and Actualisation of Data Saturation in Qualitative Research Through Thematic Analysis. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23, 16094069241229777. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069241229777
Nasarian, E., Alizadehsani, R., Acharya, U. R., & Tsui, K.-L. (2024). Designing interpretable ML system to enhance healthcare trust: A systematic review to proposed responsible clinician-AI-collaboration framework. Information Fusion, 108, 102412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inffus.2024.102412
Nawas, A., Darmawan, I. G. N., & Maadad, N. (2024). Sekolah versus madrasah: Navigating the varied effects of multilevel factors on student English reading performance. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 35(4), 413–456. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2024.2380673
Ningsih, E. I., & Salamah, U. (2024). PSIKOEDUKASI PENDAMPINGAN KESEHATAN MENTAL DI PONDOK PESANTREN RAUDHATUL ULUM LUMAJANG. 2(2).
Nudin, B. (t.t.). The Role Of Parents And Families In Children’s Education In The Digital Era.
Pasaribu, M., Khairifa, F., Ali, R., Muis, A. A., & Ritonga, M. (2024). Youth Character Building Through Quality Education in Realizing Golden Indonesia 2045. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(4), 180–192. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i4.3473
Purwaningtyas, F., Dalimunte, M., & Dewi, S. (2024). Exploring adolescents’ digital information-seeking patterns and religious behavior. Jurnal Kajian Informasi & Perpustakaan, 12(2), 251–278. https://doi.org/10.24198/jkip.v12i2.58627
Putra Halilintar, M., & Rafiqah, L. (2024). The Role of Leadership in Shaping Social Dynamics within Pesantren Communities. Edu Spectrum: Journal of Multidimensional Education, 1(2), 67–81. https://doi.org/10.70063/eduspectrum.v1i2.37
Rahmawati, D., & Suud, F. M. (t.t.). Exploring the Role of Islamic Resilience and Self-Identity in Muslim Women’s Da’wah Experiences.
Setiawan, M. N. H., & Nur, A. K. M. (t.t.). Implementasi Kesehatan Mental Zakiah Daradjat dalam Menghadapi Problematika Remaja di Lingkungan Pendidikan Pondok Pesantren.
Sharma, A., Barik, T. R., Daniel, D., & Khatari, U. (2024). Bibliometric Examination of Spiritual Leadership Trends in Contemporary Organizations. 2024 IEEE International Students’ Conference on Electrical, Electronics and Computer Science (SCEECS), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/SCEECS61402.2024.10482122
Sheva Bayu Firmansyah & Zaenal Abidin. (2024). Character Education Strategy in Pesantren: Integrating Morals and Spirituality. Ta’dib: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.19109/td.v29i2.25112
Sholihah, N., Kusaeri, Kholis, N., Muntafi’ah, U., & Huriyah, L. (2024). Istighātha Dhikr Practices Toward Human Well-Being: An Implication for Islamic Education. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 5(3), 338–352. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i3.1402
Taufiq, A., Sahdan, M. Z., & Setianingsih, D. (2024). Construction of Religious Habitus in Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools. 10.
Vedula, S. B., & Agrawal, R. K. (2024). Mapping Spiritual Leadership: A Bibliometric Analysis and Synthesis of Past Milestones and Future Research Agenda. Journal of Business Ethics, 189(2), 301–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-023-05346-8
Wulandari, K. A. (t.t.). PROGRAM STUDI BIMBINGAN DAN KONSELING ISLAM JURUSAN KONSELING DAN PENGEMBANGAN MASYARAKAT FAKULTAS DAKWAH UNIVERSITAS ISLAM NEGERI PROF. K.H. SAIFUDDIN ZUHRI PURWOKERTO 2022.
Yusutria, Y., Charles, C., Yuliana, A. T. R. D., & Yuherman, Y. (2024). Preparing millennials for tomorrow: The evolution of character education in Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools. Al-Misbah (Jurnal Islamic Studies), 12(1), 32–46. https://doi.org/10.26555/almisbah.v12i1.8234
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Published
2025-03-21
How to Cite
Attarwiyah, N. M., Chotib, M., & Subakri, S. (2025). Spiritual Leadership and Mental Wellbeing: The Role of Kiai in Maintaining Santri Mental Health. QALAMUNA: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial, Dan Agama, 17(1), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v17i1.6395
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