Human Psychology & Behavior

Via Pristinia Putra Dadang

Loneliness is a common issue among university students, particularly those living away from home. This study explores how psychological well-being and student adjustment together influence loneliness among Indonesian university students living independently. Using established measures of psychological well-being, college adjustment, and loneliness, data from 171 participants were analyzed through multiple regression. The results show that higher psychological well-being and better adjustment are both linked to lower loneliness, with adjustment emerging as the stronger predictor. This finding highlights that loneliness is shaped not only by emotional health but also by how well students adapt to new academic and social environments. The study offers new insight into the simultaneous roles of psychological well-being and adjustment in explaining loneliness, adding cross-cultural evidence from Indonesia to global research on student mental health. Practically, the results suggest that universities should promote adjustment and well-being through mentoring, resilience training, and counseling programs that support students’ adaptation and emotional balance.

Human Psychology & Behavior

Satriya Dwi Prayoga, Yusuf Ratu Agung

Adolescent girls commonly experience body image concerns that may influence their psychological well-being, particularly their self-confidence. This study examined the relationship between body image and self-confidence among 12th-grade female students at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Kota Pasuruan using a quantitative correlational design. Data were collected from 50 students through validated body image and self-confidence scales, and the analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25.0. The findings indicated a significant positive relationship between body image and self-confidence (r = 0.694, p < 0.05), with body image contributing 48.1% to the variance in self-confidence (R² = 0.481). These results suggest that students with more positive perceptions of their physical appearance tend to demonstrate higher levels of self-confidence. While the findings provide meaningful insights into adolescent psychological development within an Islamic school context, the study’s relatively small sample size and single-school setting limit the generalizability of the results. Nevertheless, the study highlights the importance of addressing body-related attitudes in educational environments and offers valuable considerations for educators and counselors aiming to support students’ mental well-being and self-confidence.

Human Psychology & Behavior

Rahayu Kurniawati

Final-year female students often experience psychological challenges during the thesis-writing process, such as emotional instability, academic stress, and self-doubt, which can negatively affect their mental health. This study examined the relationship between self-compassion and mental health among female students completing their undergraduate theses. A total of 66 participants were selected using purposive sampling from students enrolled in the Islamic Guidance and Counseling program at UIN KH Achmad Siddiq Jember. Data were collected using validated questionnaires on self-compassion and mental health, and analyzed with Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation. The results showed a statistically significant and strong positive correlation between self-compassion and mental health (r = 0.698, p < 0.001), indicating that higher self-compassion is associated with better mental health. Conversely, students with lower self-compassion reported more frequent mental health disturbances. These findings highlight the importance of integrating self-compassion training and mental health support into higher education programs to help female undergraduates manage academic stress and maintain psychological well-being.

Human Psychology & Behavior

Ajeng Rizky Safitri, Revina Rizqiyani

Cognitive development in early childhood is a crucial foundation for later academic achievement and overall intellectual growth. This study, conducted at TK Ma’arif NU 1 Taman Cari in East Lampung, Indonesia, examined the effectiveness of puzzle-based learning in enhancing cognitive abilities among children aged 5–6 years. Using a Classroom Action Research (CAR) design implemented over two cycles, the intervention aimed to strengthen children’s understanding of fundamental concepts such as shapes, colors, sizes, and patterns. The findings showed a significant improvement in children’s abilities to classify, sequence, and solve problems, meeting and surpassing expected developmental standards. These results highlight puzzle-based learning as an effective and developmentally appropriate strategy for promoting cognitive growth in early learners. Beyond the local context, the study underscores the broader potential of play-based and interactive learning approaches in early childhood education.

Human Psychology & Behavior

Meifiana Eka Yulianto Putri, Nuzul Ahadiyanto

Public dissatisfaction with government services in Indonesia highlights the need to strengthen civil servants’ interpersonal communication competencies. Drawing on Eysenck’s personality theory, this study investigated the relationship between extraversion and assertive behavior among millennial Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol-PP) officers in Probolinggo City. Employing a quantitative correlational design, all 184 officers born between 1981 and 1996 (Mage = 38.4 years; 73.9% male, 26.1% female) participated through total population sampling. Extraversion was measured using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised Short Form (EPQR-S), while assertive behavior was assessed with the Assertiveness Inventory by Alberti and Emmons. Pearson’s Product-Moment correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between extraversion and assertive behavior, r(182) = .389, p < .001, 95% CI [.26, .51]. This indicates that officers with higher levels of extraversion tend to exhibit more assertive behavior. However, the effect size was small to moderate, suggesting that extraversion explains only a limited portion of the variance in assertive behavior. The findings emphasize that while personality traits contribute to assertiveness, other psychological, situational, or organizational factors may play a more substantial role in shaping interpersonal effectiveness among civil servants.

Human Psychology & Behavior