INSPIRA: Indonesian Journal of Psychological Research

Peer support for bullying victims in junior high school

2026-01-30T11:16:40+08:00

School bullying leads to a decline in victims' physical health, psychological well-being, and learning motivation, as well as lower academic achievement. Social support from peers represents a critical resource for the prevention of bullying and the recovery of its victims. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to explore the phenomenon of school bullying and the psychological dynamics of victims who receive social support from their peers. Six junior high school students who were involved in bullying incidents, either as recipients or providers of social support, served as informants. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, with participants recruited via snowball sampling. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data, and credibility was established through member checking. The findings indicate that bullying inflicts significant negative emotional consequences on victims, including feelings of fear, sadness, and diminished self-esteem. Peer-based social support emerged as a key protective factor, mitigating these adverse effects. Victims reported increased self-confidence and courage to confront bullying after receiving support from peers. Such support alleviated feelings of isolation, helping victims feel less alone in coping with their distress. Furthermore, students who had previously been bullied demonstrated empathy and were willing to support peers in similar situations. The study suggests that fostering empathy in schools is essential to cultivating supportive peer attitudes and encouraging proactive assistance for bullying victims.

Roblox addiction and psychological well-being in Generation Z

2026-01-30T11:16:40+08:00

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Roblox online game addiction tendency and psychological well-being among Generation Z in Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek). The research was motivated by the increasing use of the online game Roblox, which has the potential to foster addictive behaviors and diminish psychological well-being. Using a correlational quantitative method, non-parametric Spearman's Rank and Kruskal-Wallis analyses were employed due to non-normally distributed data. Participants consisted of 273 Generation Z individuals selected via purposive sampling. The results indicated a significant negative correlation between Roblox addiction and psychological well-being (r = -.752, p < .01), suggesting that higher addiction levels are associated with lower psychological well-being. The conflict dimension contributed most substantially to the decline in psychological well-being. Furthermore, significant differences were found based on age, residence, frequency of play, duration of play, and reasons for playing. Theoretically, these findings contribute to the literature on the relationship between Roblox addiction and the psychological well-being of Generation Z, while also highlighting opportunities for future research on potential mediating or moderating variables such as self-control and social support. Practically, the results are expected to serve as an educational foundation for adolescents, parents, and educational institutions to promote self-regulation in playing Roblox.

Fostering religious moderation in the digital age: A study of community intervention through TikTok

2026-01-30T11:16:39+08:00

The social media platform TikTok, widely popular among younger demographics, offers diverse content, including educational material. Such content can foster public understanding of religious moderation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of social media, specifically the TikTok account @Tanya_SIMO, as a community intervention to cultivate religiously moderate behavior. The sample consisted of 66 followers of the @Tanya_SIMO account who participated in the intervention from start to finish, selected via simple random sampling. Descriptive analysis revealed that the post-test mean score was higher than the pre-test mean score, suggesting a positive influence from the @Tanya_SIMO videos. This was confirmed by a paired-samples t-test, which yielded a significant change index (t = -3.809) and a p-value of < .001. The pre-test mean was 4.88, which increased to 5.39 after participants viewed the videos, indicating enhanced comprehension of religious moderation among followers. These findings confirm the effectiveness of the @Tanya_SIMO TikTok account as a platform for educating its audience on religious moderation.

Building marital foundations: A qualitative evaluation of reality therapy-based premarital counseling for young couples in Indonesia

2026-01-07T17:48:15+08:00

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Reality Therapy-based premarital counseling program for young couples, implemented through a local Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) in Indonesia. Premarital counseling is recognized as a strategic intervention to mitigate challenges associated with early marriage, such as emotional immaturity and inadequate conflict-resolution skills. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive design, this research investigated the counseling process and its perceived impact on marital harmony. Data were collected via in-depth interviews with religious counselors and young couples, participatory observations of counseling sessions, and document analysis. The findings indicate that the structured, stage-based Reality Therapy approach, focusing on building rapport, exploring present behavior, evaluating effectiveness, planning change, and committing to action, effectively enhanced couples' sense of personal responsibility, improved communication, and fostered joint future planning. The study concludes that integrating Reality Therapy principles into community-based premarital programs provides a practical and culturally resonant framework for empowering young couples. It recommends the broader adoption of this model within religious and community institutions as a strategic initiative to promote marital stability and build resilient families. This research contributes to the literature on applied counseling interventions in non-clinical, community settings, particularly within the context of early marriage prevention and support.

The effect of digital detox on psychological well-being in college students

2026-01-15T14:51:32+08:00

Fatherlessness and marital anxiety: A qualitative exploration of psychological dynamics among young adult women in Padang, Indonesia

2026-01-21T07:53:56+08:00

Fatherlessness, defined as the physical or psychological absence of a father figure, is a prevalent phenomenon with significant long-term psychological consequences. This qualitative case study investigates the underexplored link between fatherlessness and marital anxiety among early adult women in Padang, Indonesia, a context with strong traditional and patriarchal norms. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis of two purposively selected participants (aged 21 and 22), the study examines the subjective experience and psychological underpinnings of this anxiety. Findings reveal that marital anxiety is not a singular fear but a complex syndrome stemming from a disrupted father-daughter attachment, which fosters a profound and generalized distrust of men. This foundational trauma interacts with the participants’ critical consciousness of patriarchal inequalities within marriage, transforming anxiety into a form of ideological resistance against perceived systemic injustice. Furthermore, sociocultural pressures to marry and constant exposure to negative marital narratives exacerbate this distress. A key insight is the identification of a distinct relational pathway leading to marital avoidance, contrasting with other documented responses to paternal absence. The study concludes that for these women, marital anxiety represents a meaningful, adaptive response to personal trauma and structural inequity. These findings underscore the need for support frameworks that address both attachment wounds and sociocultural critiques, offering a nuanced perspective for clinicians and researchers working on intergenerational trauma and gender-based psychological distress.

"It's more than teaching": A qualitative exploration of factors shaping lecturers’ psychological well-being

2026-01-23T15:20:49+08:00

The worldwide shift in higher education, including stricter performance standards, greater bureaucracy, and the rise of managerial governance models, has a significant impact on academic work. This research investigates the lived experiences and psychological well-being of lecturers in the context of Indonesia's ongoing evolution. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with six lecturers from universities overseen by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Thematic analysis was used to look at the data. The findings indicate that lecturers perceive psychological well-being as a synergistic condition characterized by inner peace, meaningful engagement with their work, and positive connectivity to their academic environment. Their well-being is shaped by a dynamic interplay among personal, relational, and structural-institutional factors. Participants articulated a clear desire for improved working conditions, institutional support aligned with academic values, and policies that consciously foster well-being. This study contributes to the literature by extending eudaimonic well-being frameworks and the Conservation of Resources Theory into the specific socio-cultural and structural context of Indonesian higher education, highlighting the critical interaction between personal and institutional resources. Practically, the findings underscore the necessity of human-centered academic management, including workload rationalization, the development of supportive leadership, and the formal integration of well-being policies to sustain both lecturer welfare and institutional performance

The effectiveness of religious cognitive behavioral therapy in enhancing assertiveness and self-control among adolescent users of Zenith

2026-01-23T16:27:52+08:00

Beyond temporary migration: Exploring the work values of ex-Indonesian workers through the work and holiday visa program

2026-01-23T20:49:55+08:00

The Work and Holiday Visa (WHV) program offers young people an opportunity not only to travel but also to engage in temporary overseas employment amid increasing youth mobility in Indonesia. As well as a bilateral agreement between the governments of Indonesia and Australia, the WHV program aims to promote cultural exchange at both national and individual levels. However, participation in the program is far from straightforward. Applicants are required to meet strict eligibility criteria and demonstrate financial readiness to sustain themselves while seeking employment in Australia. These challenges make the WHV experience a significant context for the development and transformation of work values among participants. This study aims to explore the work values of former Indonesian Work and Holiday Makers during their stay in Australia and to understand the values they gained after completing the program and returning to Indonesia. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, this research seeks to capture the lived experiences and the essence of work values shaped through temporary labor migration. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with four former Indonesian WHV participants who had completed the program and returned to their home country. The findings reveal two overarching themes of work values: (1) values that enhance personal growth, including resilience and self-efficacy, and (2) values related to the pursuit of financial independence. These values contributed to participants’ perceived quality of work life as temporary migrant workers, highlighting the transformative potential of the WHV program beyond economic outcomes

Patterns of pornography consumption among school-aged children: Intensity and motivation for viewing pornography

2026-01-28T22:53:06+08:00

The development of information technology and the ease of internet access have presented serious implications for the psychological and moral development of school-aged children. One emerging challenge is exposure to pornographic content, whether intentional or unintentional, which holds the potential to influence children's attitudes, values, and behavior. This study aimed to describe patterns of pornography consumption among elementary and junior high school-aged children, examining the aspects of usage intensity and motivation for viewing pornography. A quantitative survey method was employed with 696 primary and secondary school students. Data were analyzed descriptively using mean calculations and categorization. The results indicate that a portion of respondents reported a relatively high intensity of pornography viewing, characterized by a high frequency and duration of use and recency of exposure. In terms of motivation, the urge to access pornography generally arose spontaneously. These findings confirm that early-age exposure to pornography is not merely a technological issue but is also intrinsically linked to aspects of psychological development and moral education. Therefore, integrated preventive efforts are required through family education, school-based programs, and counseling guidance grounded in Islamic values

Benson Relaxation Therapy reduces stress levels among undergraduate students during thesis writing

2026-01-30T11:27:45+08:00

Thesis completion represents a significant source of academic stress for final-year undergraduates. This study examined the effect of Benson Relaxation Therapy (BRT) as a non-pharmacological intervention on stress levels among students completing their thesis at Universitas Malikussaleh. A quantitative, experimental design was employed using a posttest-only approach. Of the 30 initial respondents screened, three students with high stress levels participated in the BRT intervention. Stress was measured using an adapted questionnaire based on Sarafino and Smith’s (2012) model. Quantitative inferential analysis indicated no statistically significant effect of the intervention (p = .626). However, observational data from the intervention group indicated favorable subjective and behavioral changes, including reduced anxiety, a more tranquil disposition, and decreased physiological arousal following the session. While the small sample size limits statistical generalizability, the qualitative findings suggest BRT may hold practical value as a simple, culturally adaptable stress management tool. The study points out that further research with more rigorous methodologies, including larger samples and pretest-posttest designs, is needed to conclusively evaluate the efficacy of BRT in academic settings. These preliminary results contribute to the growing literature on holistic, non-pharmacological approaches to supporting student mental health during demanding academic transitions