The Effect of Expressive Writing Therapy on Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being Students

Rizka Mianti; Hasanuddin Hasanuddin; Salamiah Sari  Dewi

doi:10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v5i2.1068

Rizka Mianti Psychology Postgraduate Program, Universitas Medan Area
Hasanuddin Hasanuddin Psychology Postgraduate Program, Universitas Medan Area
Salamiah Sari Dewi Psychology Postgraduate Program, Universitas Medan Area

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v5i2.1068

Keywords: Expressive Writing Therapy, Self-Efficacy, Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

High academic pressure, personal obstacles, and the challenges brought by the pandemic can lead to stress and diminished self-confidence in students. In this context, self-efficacy and subjective well-being emerge as crucial factors influencing the learning process. Barriers such as a lack of outlets for expressing emotions and difficulties in overcoming problems can impede students' academic journey. This research conducted at SMA Negeri 1 Bangun Purba aims to examine the impact of expressive writing therapy on students' self-efficacy and subjective well-being. The study involves the development of an expressive writing therapy module, incorporating a scale with validated and reliable measures. The application of this therapy to students follows a quasi-experimental method using a nonequivalent control group design. The research sample consists of two groups: an experimental group subjected to expressive writing therapy and a control group. The results indicate that in the control group, there is no significant difference in self-efficacy (Wilcoxon test, p=0.0798) and subjective well-being (t-test, p=0.3691) before and after the post-test. However, in the experimental group, a significant difference is observed in both self-efficacy (t-test, p<0.05) and subjective well-being (Wilcoxon test, p<0.05). Simultaneously, both aspects can be enhanced through expressive writing therapy (MANOVA, p<0.05). This research highlights that the developed expressive writing therapy module effectively improves students' self-efficacy and subjective well-being.

References

Baikie, K. A., & Wilhelm, K. (2005). Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing. In Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (Vol. 11, Issue 5). https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.11.5.338

Balton. (2011). Write yourself, creative writing, and personal development. Jessica Kingsley Publisher.

Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy The Exercise Of Control. W.H. Freeman and Company.

Baron, R. A., & Byrne, D. (2004). Psikologi sosial jilid 1.

Bolton, G. (Ed.). (2004). Writing cures: An introductory handbook of writing in counselling and psychotherapy. Psychology Press.

Cayubit, R. F. O. (2021). Effect of Expressive Writing on the Subjective Well-Being of University Students. Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia, 25(1), 71-79. Https://Doi.Org/10.7454/Hubs.Asia.1130520.

Creswell, J. D., Lam, S., Stanton, A. L., Taylor, S. E., Bower, J. E., & Sherman, D. K. (2007). Does self-affirmation, cognitive processing, or discovery of meaning explain the cancer-related health benefits of expressive writing? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167206294412

Dalton, J. J., & Glenwick, D. S. (2009). Effects of expressive writing on standardized graduate entrance exam performance and physical health functioning. The Journal of Psychology 2009, 143(3), 279-292.

Diener, E., & Lucas, R. (1999). Personality and subjective well-being. In D. Kahneman, E. Diener, & N. Schwarz (Eds.), Well-being: The foundations of hedonic psychology (p. 213). Russell Sage Foundation.

Diener, E., Heintzelman, S., Kushlev, K., Tay, L., Wirtz, D., Lutes, L. D., & Oishi, S. (2016). Findings All Psychologists Should Know From the New Science on Subjective Well-Being. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/http;//dx.doi.org/10.1037/cap0000063

Hayes, M. (2023). The Association Between Civic Engagement via Participatory Art and Adolescents’ Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy (Doctoral dissertation, Illinois State University).

Lopez, S. J., & Snyder, C. R. (2012). The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology, (2 Ed.). In The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology, (2 Ed.). https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195187243.001.0001

Malchiodi, C. A. (Editor). (2007). Expressive therapies. The Guilford Press.

Pennebaker, J. W., & Chung, C. K. (2007). Expressive writing: Connections to mental and physical health. Oxford Handbook of Health Psychology, 417-37.

Pennebaker, J. W., & Smyth, J. M. (2016). Opening Up By Writing It Down. The Guilford Press.

Rovieq, F. A., Nashori, F., & Astuti, Y. D. (2021). Terapi Menulis Ekspresif untuk Meningkatkan Kesejahteraan Subjektif Remaja dengan Lupus. Journal An-Nafs: Kajian Penelitian Psikologi, Vol. 6 No. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33367/psi.v6i1.1351

Smith, B. W., Ford, C. G., Erickson, K., & Guzman, A. (2021). The Effects of a Character Strength Focused Positive Psychology Course on Undergraduate Happiness and Well-Being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00233-9

Sugiyono. (2019). Metode Penelitian Pendidikan. Alfabeta.

Yakushko, O., & Blodgett, E. (2021). Negative Reflections About Positive Psychology: On Constraining the Field to a Focus on Happiness and Personal Achievement. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 61(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167818794551