Interpersonal Communication and Caregivers’ Social Support in Students’ Adjustment within an Islamic Boarding School Context: Evidence from Dar Al-Ma’arif Islamic Boarding School, South Labuhanbatu, North Sumatra

Abstract

This study aims to analyze interpersonal communication patterns between caregivers and santri, the forms of social support provided by caregivers, and the factors influencing santri’s self-adjustment at Pondok Pesantren Dar Al-Ma’arif, South Labuhanbatu. The theoretical framework is based on DeVito’s interpersonal communication theory, House’s concept of social support, and Schneiders’ self-adjustment theory. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach with a phenomenological orientation and a constructivist paradigm. Informants were selected purposively, consisting of seven caregivers and five santri who directly experienced dormitory life. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed through data condensation, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification. Thematic coding assisted by NVivo and source triangulation were used to strengthen data validity. The findings indicate that interpersonal communication between caregivers and santri occurs directly, personally, dialogically, informally, and continuously through guidance, consultation, private discussions, group forums, experience-sharing activities, and daily interactions in the dormitory environment. The social support provided includes emotional, informational, instrumental, appraisal, and companionship support. Santri’s self-adjustment is supported by open communication with caregivers, peer support, the role of senior roommates, involvement in pesantren activities, and a family-like dormitory atmosphere. Conversely, adjustment barriers include homesickness, differences in habits, strict pesantren rules, shyness, fear, and low self-confidence during the early period of living in the pesantren. These findings affirm that interpersonal communication and social support from caregivers play an important role in helping santri feel safe, accepted, confident, and able to adapt to pesantren life.