Bulletin of Counseling and Psychotherapy

Does Depression Influence Academic Stress Among University Students Through Anxiety?

2026-06-04T19:18:57+07:00

This study investigates how depression contributes to academic stress among university students, with anxiety functioning as a mediating factor. The research arises from growing concerns about students’ emotional challenges linked to demanding academic expectations and post-pandemic adjustment. Using a quantitative design, the study involved 76 undergraduates recruited through purposive sampling. Standardised measures of depression, anxiety, and academic stress were administered, and the data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4. The findings showed that depression significantly predicted academic stress (β = 0.352, p = .003) and strongly increased anxiety levels (β = 0.642, p < .001). Anxiety also contributed to academic stress (β = 0.380, p < .001) and served as a partial mediator between depression and academic stress (β = 0.244, p = .004). The model displayed moderate explanatory power (R² = 0.440). Overall, the results support Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) transactional stress model and Beck’s (1979) cognitive theory, highlighting the interaction of cognitive and emotional factors. Practically, the study underscores the importance of counselling approaches that strengthen cognitive–emotional regulation and promote mental health literacy in universities.

Black South Africans’ Perceptions of Psychotherapy and Counselling

2026-06-09T19:31:05+07:00

The public health issue of mental health is a concern in South Africa. However, studies indicate that only a minority of Black South Africans pursue psychotherapy and/or counselling, while most, around eighty percent, rely on traditional healers for mental health issues, unlike their white counterparts. This qualitative study, grounded in social constructivism and phenomenological design, examined the perceptions of psychotherapy and/or counselling among Black South Africans in the Soweto township of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It aimed to understand this conundrum and discrepancy. Data was generated through individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analysed through thematic analysis. The analysis uncovered different themes and sub-themes. The findings revealed that Black individuals have a reasonable understanding of psychotherapy and/or counselling. Furthermore, the study demonstrated a shift in perception among Black South Africans, as they expressed a combination of negative and positive opinions on psychotherapy and/or counselling. The results of this study emphasise the need for heightened awareness campaigns to address, clarify and demystify negative perceptions. Additionally, there is a need for targeted interventions that are relatable, relevant, context-specific, and sensitive to the needs of Black South Africans. Future studies should consider conducting a longitudinal study to monitor the trajectory of the perceptions of Black South Africans over time.

Emotional Regulation Training Improves Psychological Well-Being and Marital Happiness Among Young Married Couples

2026-06-09T19:30:14+07:00

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of a culturally-adapted emotion regulation intervention for young married couples. Grounded in Gross's process model and integrated with local cultural values, the intervention aimed to enhance psychological well-being and marital happiness. Sixty participants (30 couples) in West Sulawesi were randomly assigned to an 8-session intervention group (n=30) or an active control group receiving standard health education (n=30). Pre- and post-test assessments using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Marital Happiness Scale revealed that the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in emotion regulation (F(1,58)=25.34, p<.001, ηp²=.30), psychological well-being (F(1,58)=18.92, p<.001, ηp²=.25), and marital happiness (F(1,58)=22.15, p<.001, ηp²=.28) compared to controls. Qualitative findings further revealed enhanced emotional awareness and improved dyadic communication. Results support the intervention as an effective clinical-positive psychology model for enhancing mental health and relational well-being in young couples, with significant implications for culturally-informed public mental health initiatives in Indonesia.

Can Small Language Models Generate Therapist-Like Responses? A Lightweight Study of Therapist Imitation in Mental Health Support

2026-06-30T19:32:30+07:00

Therapist-like response generation is increasingly discussed in digital mental health, yet most studies either focus on large pretrained systems or show illustrative outputs without a full lightweight benchmark. This paper asks whether small, non-pretrained language models can imitate therapist-style discourse in a reproducible setting. We used EmpatheticDialogues, an empathy-oriented dialogue corpus of roughly 25,000 conversations (Rashkin et al., 2019). Its widely used utterance-level split is 76,673 training records, 12,030 validation records, and 10,943 test records; the parsed conversation release used here contained 19,532/2,769/2,546 dialogues and yielded 40,252/5,736/5,257 listener-turn targets after we restricted supervision to supportive listener responses. We evaluated six lightweight systems on the full validation and test sets: an emotion template, TF-IDF retrieval, retrieval with micro-skill bias, an emotion-conditioned bigram language model, an emotion-conditioned trigram language model, and a trigram model with therapist-style biasing. All reported numbers are measured empirical results. The best overall system, Emotion-TrigramLM+Bias, achieved BLEU-4 of 0.0191 on validation and 0.0183 on test, ROUGE-L of 0.1652/0.1633, and therapist imitation score (TIS) of 0.6500/0.6487. Retrieval remained the most diverse model, reaching test Distinct-2 of 0.2551, but its therapist-style density was low at TIS = 0.2005. Adding therapist micro-skill bias improved retrieval by +0.0042 BLEU-4 and +0.3603 TIS on the test set, and improved the trigram model by +0.0059 BLEU-4 and +0.3056 TIS. Performance was strongest on negative-emotion turns, where acknowledgments and follow-up questions aligned closely with the references. The findings show that very small models can imitate the surface form of therapeutic language surprisingly well, but they do so mainly by compressing support into generic scripts. Lightweight therapist imitation is therefore feasible for low-risk acknowledgment support, but it is not a replacement for licensed mental health care.

Sociodemographic Factors and Parental Verbal Abuse Among Indonesian Families

2026-06-08T19:29:51+07:00

Violence against children has both physical and psychological impacts on their development. Perpetrators of verbal abuse are often caregivers or close relatives living in the same household as the child. The objective of the study is to analyse the relationship between sociodemographic factors and parental verbal abuse. The method uses a cross-sectional approach. Convenience sampling was used to select 225 samples. Data analysis with chi-square test, simple logistic regression, and multiple logistic regression. The result of parental verbal abuse was significantly related to the family income, mother's occupation, and ethnicity (p < 0.05). Odds ratio (OR) 4.6, ethnicity from outside Java has five times the effect on verbal abuse than ethnicity from Java. Conclusions: family income, ethnicity, and the mother’s occupation are factors that can predict the incidence of parental verbal abuse. Religious institutions or religious communities, basic education institutions, and community health centers need to be encouraged to conduct parenting classes to prevent parental verbal abuse. In addition, family intervention is needed to decrease parental verbal abuse. The research findings contribute to public mental health. Practical implications include preventive and promotive actions by healthcare professionals, such as health education. The social implications of this research provide an understanding of the prevalence of parental verbal abuse in families, a practice that families may not fully understand regarding the limits of parenting that involves violence.

When AI Joins the Counseling Room: Students’ Trust, Disclosure, and Therapeutic Alliance in AI-Assisted Counseling

2026-06-11T19:30:34+07:00

The growing use of artificial intelligence in psychological support has positioned AI-assisted counseling as a promising approach to expand access, reduce stigma, and provide immediate support for students. However, counseling is not merely a technical process; it is fundamentally relational, requiring trust, self-disclosure, and therapeutic alliance to function effectively. Despite increasing interest in AI-based mental health services, limited research has specifically examined how these relational dimensions interact in student populations. This study aimed to investigate students’ trust, disclosure, and therapeutic alliance in AI-assisted counseling, as well as the relationships among these variables. A cross-sectional field survey was conducted with 1,284 undergraduate students from 12 universities across Indonesia. Data were collected using structured Likert-scale instruments and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. The findings showed that students reported moderately positive levels of trust, disclosure, and therapeutic alliance. Trust was positively associated with disclosure and therapeutic alliance, while trust and disclosure jointly predicted therapeutic alliance. These findings suggest that AI-assisted counseling may serve as a valuable initial support tool, but its effectiveness depends heavily on relational acceptance.

The Influence of Survival-Safety Skills on Adolescents’ Involvement in Promiscuity and Premarital Sexual Behavior

2026-07-01T12:00:05+07:00

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by increased vulnerability to risky social and sexual behaviors due to curiosity, peer influence, and limited self-regulation. This study investigates the influence of Survival-Safety Skills on adolescents’ involvement in promiscuity and premarital sexual behavior among students of SMK Negeri 1 Yogyakarta. Adolescents’ ability to maintain personal safety is recognized as a crucial protective factor against risky social and sexual behaviors. A quantitative correlational design was employed with a sample of 973 students selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Survival-Safety Skills Scale and the Promiscuity and Premarital Sexual Behavior (PPSB) Scale, both of which demonstrated high reliability (α = 0.958 and α = 0.878, respectively). The findings showed that most students had high Survival-Safety Skills (83.86%) and low levels of engagement in risky behaviors (97.74%). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between Survival-Safety Skills and involvement in promiscuous and premarital sexual behaviors (r = -0.385; p < 0.01). The coefficient of determination (R² = 0.1482) indicated that Survival-Safety Skills explained 14.82% of the variance in such behaviors. These results emphasize the importance of strengthening adolescents’ personal safety and self-protection competencies through education, counseling, and collaboration between schools, families, and communities to prevent risky behaviors.

Conflict Resolution Model: Strategies for Handling Verbal Violence in High School Students in Majene Regency

2026-06-11T19:30:49+07:00

Verbal violence among high school students has become a significant problem in the educational environment, affecting students' mental health, academic performance, and social relationships. This study aims to develop a conflict resolution model for addressing verbal violence among high school students in Majene Regency. Verbal violence remains a prevalent issue in school environments, often manifested through ridicule, insults, threats, and discriminatory remarks based on ethnicity, religion, race, and intergroup relations. This study employed a research and development approach using the ADDIE model, which consists of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation stages. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and documentation involving students, teachers, and guidance and counseling practitioners. The developed model integrates peer mediation, restorative justice, and collaborative negotiation to promote constructive conflict resolution. The validation results indicate that the model is both theoretically sound and practically feasible for implementation in schools. The findings suggest that the model contributes to reducing verbal violence, improving students’ social interactions, and fostering a more inclusive school climate. Therefore, this model can serve as an alternative approach for guidance and counseling services in addressing verbal violence in educational settings.

Second Career Readiness After Retirement: Self-Efficacy, Positive Expectations, and Clear Goal Aspect

2026-06-11T19:30:19+07:00

This study aims to analyze the readiness of second careers after retirement among members of the Juang Kencana Community of Badan Kependudukan dan Keluarga Berencana Nasional (BKKBN) Jambi Province. Using a mixed-methods approach with concurrent design, quantitative data were collected from 31 retirees through questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with key informants. The findings reveal that overall, second career readiness is in the high category, with 58.06% of participants demonstrating strong self-efficacy, positive expectations, and clear goals. Self-efficacy emerged as the strongest aspect (70.97% high), followed by outcome expectations (61.29% high), while goals were relatively weaker (54.84% high). Qualitative findings support this by showing that retirees who remain engaged in entrepreneurial or organizational activities feel healthier, more motivated, and socially supported, although challenges such as declining business income, limited participation of community leaders, and irregular activity implementation persist. The novelty of this study lies in its integration of quantitative indicators and qualitative insights, highlighting the importance of family support, community involvement, and organizational platforms in strengthening second career readiness. The implications suggest that policymakers and community organizations should design programs that not only provide economic opportunities but also foster mental resilience and social engagement for retirees, ensuring their continued contribution to society.

Group Guidance Gratitude Intervention Technique to Improve the Meaning of Life of Inclusive Students

2026-06-09T19:31:42+07:00

The existence of meaning of life is an aspect that plays a very important role in well-being and self-achievement, for inclusive students, physical limitations experienced directly or indirectly will cause various psychological problems to arise, including tending to have psychological problems such as feeling anxious, tending to withdraw from social circles, being apathetic and having a bad outlook on life on oneself. This study tested the ability of group guidance services with gratitude intervention techniques in improving the meaning of life of inclusive students, with the pre-experimental design method through four times of providing group guidance services with gratitude intervention techniques to inclusive students in Central Java, with the meaning of life questionnaire instrument and observation resulting in data on significant changes before and after treatment, namely the Z value of 2,731 with an Asymp Sig value = 0.000 <0.05, pretest of 85.4 and posttest 123.1. The results of the analysis indicate that Group Guidance with Gratitude Intervention Techniques effectively has significant effectiveness in improving the Meaning of Life of Inclusive students in Central Java.

AI Chatbot Acceptance and Self-Disclosure among Guidance and Counseling Students: Testing the Technology Acceptance Model in Counselor Education

2026-06-09T19:31:23+07:00

Self-disclosure is a core competency in counseling, yet many students experience psychological barriers, such as fear of judgment and stigma, that inhibit openness. AI-powered counseling chatbots directly facilitate self-disclosure by providing a non-judgmental and anonymous environment that reduces these barriers. However, empirical evidence in counselor education remains limited. This study examines the role of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) variables in predicting self-disclosure among 76 Guidance and Counseling students at Universitas PGRI Semarang using a cross-sectional design. Results showed moderate levels of perceived ease of use (M = 3.38), perceived usefulness (M = 3.46), attitude toward use (M = 3.18), and self-disclosure (M = 2.94). Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between perceived ease of use (r = 0.20, p = 0.043), perceived usefulness (r = 0.32, p = 0.002), attitude toward use (r = 0.39, p < 0.001), and self-disclosure. Regression results indicated that perceived usefulness (B = 0.29, p = 0.04) and attitude toward use (B = 0.31, p = 0.005) significantly predicted self-disclosure, explaining 35.8% of variance (R² = 0.36). These findings extend TAM by demonstrating that psychological acceptance and perceived value, rather than usability, are the primary drivers of self-disclosure in AI-mediated counseling.

A Preliminary Evaluation of CBT-Based Group Counseling for Sexual Awareness Among Female Adolescents

2026-06-09T19:30:32+07:00

Sexual awareness is an important component of adolescent health education, particularly in institutional environments where discussions related to sexuality may be culturally sensitive. Islamic boarding schools represent a context in which preventive and culturally appropriate educational approaches are needed to support adolescents’ understanding of personal boundaries and sexual safety. This study examined the preliminary effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)–based group counseling in improving sexual awareness among female adolescents in an Islamic boarding school setting. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design was used. Twenty-two female students aged 12–15 years were allocated into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group participated in six structured CBT-based group counseling sessions focusing on cognitive restructuring, self-awareness, assertiveness, and behavioral reflection, while the control group received no intervention. Sexual awareness was measured using the Sexual Awareness Questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using an independent samples t-test. Results indicated a statistically significant difference between groups, with the intervention group demonstrating higher posttest sexual awareness scores compared with the control group, t(20) = 3.158, p = .005. These findings suggest that CBT-based group counseling may support improvements in sexual awareness among female adolescents in religious educational settings. Further research with larger samples and longer follow-up periods is recommended to strengthen evidence for effectiveness.

Assistance and Mental Strengthening for Women and Child Victims of Sexual Violence through Picture Cards to Reduce Anxiety

2026-06-09T19:30:49+07:00

This research was conducted based on the increasing cases of violence against women and children, which often cause psychological impacts, particularly anxiety among victims. Therefore, appropriate mentoring and mental health strengthening strategies are needed to help children express emotions and reduce anxiety effectively. This research aims to determine the results of mentoring and strengthening the mental health of women and child victims of violence through picture cards to reduce anxiety in the city of South Tangerang, Indonesia. This research uses a research method based on Participatory Action Research (PAR), a research method that involves active participation from the community or target group in each stage of the research, considering collaboration between researchers and participants (P2TP2A volunteers and parents) to jointly identify problems, design interventions, take action, and reflect on the results. Data collection for preliminary study activities was carried out through interviews and observation methods with 15 children and parents who had children aged 5-12 years at the Women's Empowerment Service, Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning (DP3AP2KB), South Tangerang City. The results of the research explain that picture cards used to identify victims of violence against women and children can help reduce anxiety. The media developed picture cards that help children express their anxiety through stories. The picture card media consists of two groups. The first group consists of seven cards used to identify children's anxiety, while the second group consists of six cards containing strategies for reducing anxiety. The images on the picture cards are based on anxiety grids and anxiety theories. The anxiety material written in the guidebook also helps parents understand anxiety more deeply. With language that can be directly conveyed to children, it becomes easier for parents to deliver the material, and the anxiety strategy cards have been developed to teach activities that can help children reduce anxiety.

The Impact of Perceived Social Support and Emotion Regulation on the Psychological Well-Being of Islamic Boarding School Teachers

2026-06-07T19:29:38+07:00

This study aims to examine the effect of perceived social support and emotion regulation on the psychological well-being of teachers in an Islamic boarding school (pesantren) context. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design involving 264 permanent teachers from an integrated Islamic boarding school foundation in East Java, Indonesia. Data were collected using three standardized instruments: Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being (42 items), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support/MSPSS (12 items), and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire/ERQ (10 items). Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression after all classical assumptions were met. The results revealed that perceived social support and emotion regulation simultaneously had a positive and significant effect on teachers’ psychological well-being, with an F value of 160.358 and p < 0.001. The coefficient of determination indicated that these two variables explained 64.9% of the variance in psychological well-being (R = 0.806; R² = 0.649). These findings demonstrate that the psychological well-being of pesantren teachers is shaped not only by internal personal resources but also by supportive social environments. Therefore, strengthening social support and providing emotion regulation training are important strategies for promoting teachers’ mental health and sustaining educational quality in pesantren settings.

Islamic Family–Based Group Guidance and Counseling in Students’ Academic Decision-Making

2026-06-05T19:29:51+07:00

These difficulties are further exacerbated by the suboptimal implementation of group guidance and counseling services, particularly in facilitating academic decision-making processes that incorporate Islamic family values as moral and spiritual foundations. This study aims to analyze strategies for enhancing group counseling services based on Islamic family values in assisting students with academic decision-making related to the selection of university study programs. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach using interviews, observations, documentation, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving school principals, guidance and counseling counselors, and experts in Islamic guidance and counseling. Data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model. The findings indicate that the integration of Islamic family values such as shura (consultation), amanah (trustworthiness), ta’awun (mutual assistance), and maslahah (public benefit) strengthens students’ self-reflection, enhances their confidence in making independent decisions, and improves academic communication between students and parents. This study recommends the development of an Islamic family values–based group counseling model and the implementation of career planning program.

Developing Social Learning Theory–Based Counseling with Godril Dance Values to Reduce Negative Peer Influence in Students’ Qur'an Memorization

2026-06-05T19:29:34+07:00

Qur’an memorization programs in Islamic schools play an important role in developing students’ intellectual and spiritual balance. However, the consistency of students in memorizing the Qur’an is often influenced by social interaction dynamics, particularly negative peer influence that may reduce motivation and discipline in memorization activities. This study aims to develop and examine the feasibility of a Counseling Guidance module based on Social Learning Theory (SLT) integrated with the local cultural values of Tari Godril as a strategy to reduce negative peer influence among Tahfidz students at MAN Lumajang. The study employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach using the ADDIE model which consists of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation stages. The research subjects were Tahfidz students of class X-C at MAN Lumajang who participated in small group trials and field trials. Data were collected through observations, interviews, documentation, expert validation questionnaires, and student response questionnaires. The results of expert validation indicated that the module was categorized as very valid with material feasibility of 88%, language feasibility of 85%, design feasibility of 84%, and practicality of use by practitioners of 90%. Students’ responses to the developed module also showed a very positive category with an average percentage of 86.25%. The integration of Social Learning Theory with the philosophical values of Tari Godril strengthens the contextual relevance of counseling services within the cultural environment of the students. These findings confirm that the developed counseling module is feasible to implement as an innovative counseling strategy to help Tahfidz students manage negative peer influence and maintain consistency in memorizing the Qur’an.

Does AI Dependency Hinder or Enhance Critical Thinking? Examining the Role of Self-Regulation

2026-06-05T19:15:57+07:00

The reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education raises questions about its impact on students' critical thinking. This study aims to examine the mediating role of self-regulation (SR) in the relationship between AI dependency (AID) and critical thinking (CTh) among university students with a total of 112 respondents, 35 male students and 77 female students, with an average age of 24 years old. Correlation analysis revealed no direct relationship between AI dependency (AID) and critical thinking (CTh), but AID showed a significant correlation with self-regulation (SR), and SR was strongly correlated with critical thinking (CTh). Mediation analysis demonstrated that SR partially mediating the relationship between AID and CTh, indicating that the impact of AI dependency on critical thinking depends on its influence on self-regulation. These findings align with prior research highlighting the critical role of self-regulation in technology-based learning. Further research is recommended to explore in more depth the role of self-regulation as a variable that may influence the relationship between AI use and potential dependency.

A Predictive Model of Adversity Quotient: The Contribution of Self-Efficacy and Social Support among Toraja Fresh Graduates

2026-06-15T17:30:07+07:00

Recent graduates face significant challenges during the transition to the workforce, which requires a strong adversity quotient (AQ). The purpose of the study is to evaluate social support and self-efficacy as determinants of recent graduates in Toraja, South Sulawesi. This study employed a quantitative correlational research design. The population consisted of fresh graduates residing in Toraja, with a total sample of 196 participants. Data were collected using the Adversity Quotient Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to test the simultaneous predictive effects of self-efficacy and social support on adversity quotient. The findings revealed that self-efficacy and social support simultaneously and significantly predicted the adversity quotient of fresh graduates. Both variables showed positive contributions, indicating that higher levels of self-efficacy and perceived social support were associated with higher levels of adversity quotient. These results underscore the combined importance of internal belief systems and external support networks in enhancing resilience among fresh graduates. The study provides empirical evidence from a specific regional context and highlights the need for interventions that strengthen both personal competence and social support systems during the transition to the workforce.

Emotion Regulation as an Adaptive Process in Multireligious Families: A Qualitative Study on Adolescents

2026-06-30T15:53:23+07:00

This study explores emotion regulation patterns among late adolescents (aged 18-21) from interfaith parental marriages in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, where differing religious values and socialization practices create unique emotional challenges impacting identity formation and family harmony. Employing a qualitative case study approach, in depth interviews with three participants, observations, and document analysis were thematically analyzed using NVivo 12 Plus, with triangulation ensuring credibility. Findings highlight adaptive strategies including cognitive reappraisal, self calming techniques like deep breathing, goal directed behaviors to maintain academic focus, controlled emotional responses for family harmony, and acceptance of mixed emotions such as confusion and guilt, influenced by internal factors (emotional awareness, past experiences) and external supports (peers, open communication). These insights underscore the value of inclusive parenting in multireligious families to bolster emotional resilience and contribute to psychological literature on emotion socialization in diverse cultural contexts.

Unveiling the Mechanisms of Dispositional Mindfulness and Mental Health: A Study of Secondary School Teachers in Palu, Indonesia

2026-07-26T19:35:43+07:00

Teachers in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, face complex professional pressures, including post-disaster recovery and a rapid transition to digital administration. This study aims to uncover the mechanisms linking mindfulness and mental health among secondary school teachers in Palu by exploring the mediating role of acceptance and the moderating role of age. A mixed-method approach with a sequential explanatory design was employed. The quantitative phase involved 66 junior and senior high school teachers selected through purposive sampling. The participants completed two instruments: the Dispositional Mindfulness at Work Scale and the Mental Health Inventory. Data were analyzed using linear regression and the PROCESS Macro for mediation and moderation testing, followed by thematic analysis in the qualitative phase to deepen the findings from the in-depth interviews with selected participants. The results indicated that correlation and simple regression analyses confirmed that dispositional mindfulness was a significant predictor of mental health, explaining 21% of its variance (B = 0.390, p < .001). Further analysis revealed a full mediation effect of the acceptance component, indicating that dispositional mindfulness requires an accepting attitude to effectively enhance teacher mental health. Additionally, age was a significant moderator (B = -0.048, p = .003), with the protective impact of dispositional mindfulness being notably greater for early-career teachers. Qualitatively, these mechanisms were found to be harmoniously integrated with the local wisdom of Nosarara Nosabatutu. Dispositional mindfulness emerged as the primary psychological resource supporting teacher resilience in a post-disaster, high-digital-demand environment. These findings provide an empirical basis for prioritizing mindfulness-based psychoeducation and interventions in guidance and counseling services.

The Effectiveness of Self-Regulation Based Group Guidance in Reducing Students' Tendency Towards Excessive Digital Device Use

2026-07-31T19:35:43+07:00

Excessive digital device use has become an increasing concern among students due to its negative effects on concentration, social interaction, and self-regulation. This study investigated the effectiveness of self-regulation-based group guidance in reducing students' tendency toward excessive digital device use. A quantitative quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control-group design was employed involving 16 junior secondary school students, who were equally assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the Digital Device Use Tendency Scale (Cronbach's α = .931) and analysed using tests of normality and homogeneity, paired-samples t-tests, and independent-samples t-tests. The experimental group demonstrated greater improvement than the control group, as reflected in a higher normalized gain score (50.38% vs. 43.49%) and a statistically significant difference between groups (p = .039). These findings suggest that self-regulation-based group guidance is effective in reducing students' tendency toward excessive digital device use and offers a promising school-based preventive intervention for promoting healthier digital behavior.

Understanding Child Grooming and Preventive Strategies: Perspectives of Primary School Teachers and Parents

2026-08-06T09:42:59+07:00

Child grooming represents a growing challenge for child protection because it commonly occurs before sexual abuse and is often disguised as caring or supportive behaviour, making early recognition difficult. This study aimed to explore how primary school teachers and parents understand child grooming and perceive strategies for its prevention. A qualitative phenomenological design was adopted to capture participants' lived perspectives. 12 participants, including six teachers and six parents, were purposively selected. Child grooming is an increasing child protection concern because perpetrators often conceal abusive intentions through seemingly caring relationships. This study explored how primary school teachers and parents understand child grooming and the preventive strategies they consider effective in the Indonesian context. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed. Twelve participants were purposively recruited, comprising six primary school teachers responsible for pupils' welfare and six parents of primary school children. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants understood grooming as a gradual process of psychological manipulation involving trust-building, emotional dependency, and the exploitation of children's developmental vulnerabilities. They identified age-appropriate sexuality education, body autonomy, self-protection skills, digital safety awareness, and school–family collaboration as key preventive strategies. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening adults' understanding of grooming to support early identification and prevention. This study contributes contextually relevant evidence for developing school- and family-based child safeguarding initiatives in Indonesia.

Living Online, Fearing Offline: Narcissism and Social Media Addiction as Predictors of Fear of Missing Out among Indonesian Generation Z

2026-08-18T19:37:34+07:00

Generation Z is highly engaged with social media, making them vulnerable to experiencing fear of missing out (FoMO). This condition may be influenced by personality factors such as narcissism, as well as excessive social media use, commonly referred to as social media addiction. This study aimed to examine the role of narcissism and social media addiction as predictors of FoMO among Generation Z. This study employed a quantitative approach with a multiple linear regression design. The sample consisted of 403 Generation Z individuals in Indonesia, aged 17–25 years, who were selected through an accidental sampling technique. The instruments used included the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ) (α = 0.896), the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) (α = 0.913), and the Online Fear of Missing Out Scale (ON-FoMO) (α = 0.904). Data were analyzed using Jamovi version 2.6.44. The results indicated a significant simultaneous effect of narcissism and social media addiction on FoMO (F = 102.08; p < 0.001). Partially, both narcissism and social media addiction were found to be significant predictors of FoMO. This study highlights that narcissism and social media addiction are risk factors for FoMO among Generation Z. Therefore, it is important to develop psychological interventions focused on managing social media use and strengthening self-regulation to reduce the tendency to experience FoMO.

Neuroticism and Forgiveness as Predictors of Dating Violence among Student Victims of Toxic Relationships

2026-08-16T20:50:13+07:00

Dating violence is a serious issue among university students in romantic relationships, especially for those with a history of toxic relationships. It can negatively impact psychological well-being. Key psychological factors, such as neuroticism and forgiveness, influence this condition. Given the importance of healthy romantic relationships in emerging adulthood, this study examined how neuroticism and forgiveness predict dating violence in university students with toxic relationship experiences. This study used a quantitative approach with multiple linear regression. The sample included 404 Indonesian university students aged 18–25, all with toxic relationship experiences. Participants were selected with incidental sampling and online questionnaires. The study used the Neuroticism Scale (α = 0.898), Forgiveness Scale (α = 0.749), and Dating Violence Scale (α = 0.955). Data were analyzed using Jamovi version 2.7.6. The results showed that neuroticism and forgiveness simultaneously had a significant effect on dating violence (F = 513.5; p < 0.001). Partially, neuroticism was found to be a significant positive predictor of dating violence, while forgiveness was a significant negative predictor of dating violence. This study highlights that neuroticism acts as a risk factor, whereas forgiveness serves as a protective factor against dating violence among university students with a history of toxic relationships. Therefore, it is essential to develop psychological interventions that focus on emotional regulation and the enhancement of forgiveness to promote healthier romantic relationships.

School-Based Bullying Prevention in Indonesia: A CIPP Evaluation of the Roots Program

2026-08-16T19:36:49+07:00

Bullying remains a persistent challenge in schools, undermining students’ well-being and the development of safe and inclusive learning environments. This study evaluated the implementation of the Roots Indonesia Program at SMPN 4 Alalak, Barito Kuala Regency, using the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) evaluation model. A qualitative program evaluation design was employed, involving 13 purposively selected informants comprising one principal, two teachers, two program facilitators, four student change agents, and four student participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis and analyzed thematically based on the CIPP framework. Trustworthiness was ensured through triangulation, member checking, and an audit trail. The findings indicate that the program addressed the school’s need for bullying prevention and supported the development of a safe, inclusive, and child-friendly school environment. Implementation was supported by trained facilitators, student change agents, adequate resources, and active stakeholder involvement. Activities followed program guidelines through structured modules, peer-led activities, anti-bullying campaigns, Roots Day events, and regular monitoring. Positive outcomes included a 4.97% increase in the diversity climate indicator, a 3.84% increase in the school safety climate indicator, improved leadership, communication, empathy, and prosocial behavior among student change agents, and a reduction in bullying cases from 20 in 2023 to 10 in 2024 and one in 2025. Overall, the program was implemented effectively and contributed to bullying prevention and a more positive school climate. Sustained stakeholder support, systematic monitoring, and regeneration of student change agents are essential for long-term impact.

Healing Beyond Online Abuse: The Role of Forgiveness and Self-Esteem in Mental Health Among Victims of Cyber Dating Abuse

2026-08-13T17:12:13+07:00

The phenomenon of violence in romantic relationships has become increasingly prevalent, particularly through the misuse of modern technology, which negatively affects victims’ mental health, including the emergence of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. This study aimed to identify the role of forgiveness and self-esteem as predictors of mental health among victims of cyber dating abuse. The study employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design. The participants consisted of 122 adolescents aged 15–21 years who had experienced or were currently experiencing cyber dating abuse during the early, middle, or final stages of a romantic relationship. The sampling technique used in this study was accidental sampling. Data were collected using the Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory (TRIM-18), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings indicated that forgiveness and self-esteem simultaneously served as significant predictors of mental health among victims of cyber dating abuse (F = 12.2, p < 0,001). Specifically, forgiveness was found to be a significant negative predictor of mental health among victims of cyber dating abuse (t = -3.67, p < 0,001). Similarly, self-esteem was also identified as a significant negative predictor of mental health (t = -3.49, p < 0,001). These findings suggest that individuals who experience cyber dating abuse require forgiveness toward the events they have experienced, accompanied by adequate self-esteem, as protective factors. These factors may help victims of cyber dating abuse maintain their mental health in daily life.

Defensive Routines as a Coping Mechanism Linking Technostress and Job Control to Technology-Enabled Performance

2026-08-14T19:36:45+07:00

Digital payment operations require continuous monitoring and rapid response, exposing employees to repeated alerts, system changes, and error-sensitive tasks. Over time, these demands may deplete attentional resources, heighten concerns about mistakes or skill obsolescence, and encourage self-protective coping. However, little is known about whether defensive routines transmit the effects of technology-related job demands and job control on technology-enabled performance in high-reliability service settings. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources model and the transactional theory of stress and coping, this study examined the relationships among technostress creators, job control, defensive routines, and technology-enabled performance. Survey data were collected from 163 employees in Greater Jakarta who worked in information technology or digital payment operations, routinely used operational systems, and had direct experience with monitoring, incident handling, system changes, or escalation. Partial least squares structural equation modeling showed that technostress creators were positively associated with defensive routines, whereas job control was negatively associated with defensive routines. Job control was positively associated with technology-enabled performance, while defensive routines were negatively associated with technology-enabled performance. Defensive routines provided a significant indirect pathway between technostress creators and technology-enabled performance, with no significant direct association, and partially mediated the positive association between job control and technology-enabled performance. These findings support the interpretation of defensive routines as a maladaptive coping pattern through which sustained technology-related demands may weaken effective technology use. Job control, by contrast, may support performance both directly and by reducing defensive routines.

Psychological Well-Being of Junior High School Students : Preliminary Study for Developing a Mental Health-Based School Counseling Model in Wetland Environments

2026-08-19T19:37:14+07:00

Psychological well-being is an important indicator of adolescent development, particularly among junior secondary school students living in riverbank areas with distinctive social and ecological challenges in wetland environments. This study used a descriptive qualitative survey design to describe the psychological well-being of junior high school students residing in riverbank communities in Banjarmasin City. The participants were 184 students from three junior high schools located along the riverbanks. Data were collected using a psychological well-being questionnaire based on Ryff’s theoretical framework, covering six dimensions: autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. The data were analyzed descriptively to identify general patterns and the dominant dimensions of students’ psychological well-being. The results showed that most students (83.2%) had a moderate level of psychological well-being, while 15.2% were in the high category, and 1.6% were in the low category. The main weaknesses were observed in autonomy (52.7% low) and environmental mastery (56.0% low). In contrast, strengths appeared in personal growth (36.4% high) and purpose in life, with more than 60% of students falling within the moderate to high range. These findings indicate that although students have motivation and a sense of direction in life, they still face challenges related to independence and the management of their social and academic environments. The study highlights the need for school guidance and counseling services to implement a context-sensitive multitiered system of support (MTSS) that aligns with the ecological and cultural characteristics of riverbank communities in wetland environments.

Apakah Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Digital Efektif untuk Menurunkan Kecenderungan Bunuh Diri pada Gen Z?

2026-06-05T19:29:18+07:00

Suicide is a serious problem in society and has now become a global concern. Although suicide is a serious public health issue, it can be prevented with the right interventions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychological intervention that is quite effective in reducing suicidal ideation; however, the limited availability of psychologists prevents this method from reaching a wider audience. These conditions present an opportunity for the use of internet-based CBT as an alternative for addressing suicidal tendencies among Gen Z. This study was conducted to evaluate the Digital CBT program (Mindspace Program) for preventing suicidal tendencies in Gen Z. Web-based psychological interventions will enhance the accessibility and reach of the program. The research subjects were 10 Gen Z individuals, aged 22–26 years. This study employed a one-group pre-test - post-tests design with the Mindspace Programme as the intervention. The research instrument utilized the Suicide Tendency Scale, administered during the pre-test, post-tests, and follow-up. The results were analyzed using a paired samples t-test, revealing a significant difference in suicidal tendencies among the participants before and after receiving Digital CBT, with a t-value of 5.137 (p < 0.01). Suicidal tendencies were lower after Digital CBT (mean: 29.00) compared to before Digital CBT (mean: 37.46). These findings imply that digital CBT is an effective alternative for addressing suicidal tendencies among Gen Z and serves as an evidence-based intervention.

Hubungan Emotional Distress dengan Internet Gaming Disorder pada Mahasiswa

2026-07-10T19:33:21+07:00

Generation Z demonstrates a high intensity of internet use and is particularly vulnerable to emotional distress, including anxiety and depression, due to academic and social demands. Online gaming is frequently used as a form of entertainment and a coping strategy; however, excessive gaming may develop into Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). This study aimed to examine the association between emotional distress and Internet Gaming Disorder among university students who play Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 262 university students in Surabaya selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and were analyzed using correlation and linear regression analyses. The results revealed that emotional distress was significantly associated with Internet Gaming Disorder (anxiety: r = 0.396; depression: r = 0.486; p < 0.05). Although both anxiety and depression were positively associated with Internet Gaming Disorder, depression emerged as the stronger predictor of gaming disorder tendencies among university students (β = 0.439). These findings suggest that students may engage in gaming as a maladaptive coping strategy to escape emotional distress. Therefore, university counseling services should implement targeted psychological interventions that promote healthy emotion regulation and adaptive coping strategies to reduce the risk of problematic gaming behavior among Generation Z students.

Efektivitas Bimbingan Kelompok Menggunakan Art Therapy dengan Teknik Menggambar untuk Mereduksi Perilaku Agresif

2026-07-29T19:35:25+07:00

This study aimed to describe students' aggressive behavior and examine the effectiveness of group guidance services based on behavior modification using the Art Therapy drawing technique in reducing aggressive behavior. The study employed an experimental approach with a Single Subject Research (SSR) A–B design, involving eight junior high school students who met the research criteria. The participants exhibited aggressive behaviors, including both physical and verbal aggression, such as engaging in verbal conflicts, making threats, displaying hostility, mocking peers, hitting or pushing others, and damaging other people's belongings. Data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire to measure the level of aggressive behavior before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and the N-Gain Test. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores, with a significance value of 0.012 (p < 0.05), indicating that the intervention effectively reduced students' aggressive behavior. All participants showed a decrease in their aggression scores, demonstrating consistent behavioral improvement. Furthermore, the N-Gain result of 66% indicated that the intervention was moderately effective. The Art Therapy drawing technique proved to help students express their emotions constructively, improve self-control, and reduce aggressive tendencies. However, the intervention's effectiveness was not yet optimal due to internal and external factors affecting the participants. Therefore, strengthening the intervention through increased service intensity and greater environmental support is recommended to achieve more optimal and sustainable outcomes.

Menjalani Peran di Tengah Kompleksitas Inklusi: Studi tentang Teacher Well-Being pada Guru Pendamping Khusus (GPK)

2026-08-18T19:37:04+07:00

This study aimed to explore well-being among Special Assistant Teachers (Guru Pendamping Khusus) in Salatiga by identifying its key dimensions and associated factors. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to explore the lived experiences of four participants involved in the implementation of inclusive education in their respective schools. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and participant observation. The findings reveal that participants interpreted high workload and substantial responsibilities positively, reflecting adaptive perceptions of their job demands. All participants reported positive relationships with school leaders, although some experienced challenges in collaboration with colleagues and parents. Participants also demonstrated proactive engagement in fostering the acceptance of students with special educational needs in regular classrooms, alongside implementing self-care instruction and character development practices to support students’ social participation. Overall, teacher well-being among the participants was relatively stable, with internal factors playing a central role in sustaining their professional functioning. The study contributes to the literature on teacher well-being within inclusive education contexts and offers practical implications for strengthening collaborative support systems among teachers, schools, families, and related institutions.

Peran Status Kepegawaian dalam Memoderasi Pengaruh Work-Life Balance dan Beban Kerja terhadap Organizational Citizenship Behavior

2026-08-18T19:37:18+07:00

Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) is an essential factor in enhancing organizational effectiveness because it reflects employees’ voluntary behaviors beyond their formal job responsibilities. Employees’ willingness to perform OCB is influenced by various organizational and individual factors, including Work-Life Balance and workload. In addition, differences in employment status may influence the strength of these relationships, making it important to examine the moderating role of Employment Status. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of Work-Life Balance and Workload on Organizational Citizenship Behavior and to examine the moderating role of Employment Status. This quantitative study involved 90 employees of PDAM Tirto Panguripan, Kendal Regency, selected using a saturated sampling technique. Data were collected using Work-Life Balance, Workload, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior scales and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS. The results revealed that Work-Life Balance had a positive and significant effect on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (β = 0.590, p < 0.05). Similarly, Workload also had a positive and significant effect on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (β = 0.578, p < 0.05). Furthermore, Employment Status significantly moderated the relationships between Work-Life Balance and Organizational Citizenship Behavior as well as between Workload and Organizational Citizenship Behavior. The structural model explained 59.7% of the variance in Organizational Citizenship Behavior (R² = 0.597). These findings indicate that maintaining employees’ work-life balance, effectively managing workload, and considering employment status are important strategies for promoting Organizational Citizenship Behavior within public service organizations.

Hubungan Self Efficacy dan Dukungan Sosial terhadap Stres Akademik pada Siswa

2026-08-26T19:26:15+07:00

Academic stress is a common psychological problem among students that can arise from academic demands, such as the large number of assignments, demands to complete assignments on time, pressure to achieve good grades, and high academic expectations. This study aimed to examine the relationships of self-efficacy and social support with academic stress among students of MAN Insan Cendekia Padang Pariaman, Indonesia. This study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational design. The sample consisted of 140 Grade X and XI students selected using proportional random sampling. The sampling criteria included students in Grades X and XI who were officially enrolled at MAN Insan Cendekia Padang Pariaman during the 2025/2026 academic year. Data were collected using Likert-type scales measuring self-efficacy, social support, and academic stress and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results showed that self-efficacy was in the low category (M = 86.18; SD = 19.50), social support was in the low category (M = 71.84; SD = 17.30), and academic stress was in the high category (M = 131.74; SD = 28.90). Self-efficacy was negatively and significantly related to academic stress (R = 0.501; R² = 0.251; p < 0.001), indicating that self-efficacy explained 25.1% of the variance in academic stress. Social support was also negatively and significantly related to academic stress (R = 0.403; R² = 0.163; p < 0.001), explaining 16.3% of the variance. Furthermore, self-efficacy and social support simultaneously showed a significant relationship with academic stress (R = 0.559; R² = 0.313; F = 56.637; p < 0.001). These findings indicate that higher self-efficacy and social support are associated with lower academic stress. The findings provide empirical support for the development of guidance and counseling services aimed at strengthening students' self-efficacy and social support to help them manage academic demands more adaptively.