Breaking Silence: The Power of Peer Support in Alleviating Student Loneliness
Abstract
University life is a transitional period that is vulnerable to loneliness due to changes in social environment, academic pressure, and demands for independence. This study aimed to examine the relationship between peer social support and the level of loneliness among students at Satya Wacana Christian University (UKSW). This research employed a quantitative approach with a correlational design. The sample consisted of 100 active students from UKSW, selected using accidental sampling. The instruments used were the Social Provisions Scale (SPS) to measure peer social support and the UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 to assess loneliness levels. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation and partial correlation across dimensions. The results showed a significant negative relationship between peer social support and loneliness. The higher the perceived social support, the lower the level of loneliness experienced by the students. All aspects of social support, such as attachment, guidance, and reassurance of worth, were found to have significant correlations with various dimensions of loneliness. The implication of this study highlights the importance for higher education institutions to facilitate the strengthening of peer relationships through mentoring programs, social engagement activities, and the development of interpersonal skills to prevent social isolation and support students’ psychological well-being.
Masa perkuliahan merupakan periode transisi yang rentan terhadap perasaan kesepian akibat perubahan lingkungan sosial, tekanan akademik, dan tuntutan kemandirian. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara dukungan sosial teman sebaya dengan tingkat kesepian pada mahasiswa Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana (UKSW). Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan desain korelasional. Sampel penelitian berjumlah 100 mahasiswa aktif UKSW yang diambil menggunakan teknik accidental sampling. Instrumen yang digunakan yaitu Social Provisions Scale (SPS) untuk mengukur dukungan sosial teman sebaya dan UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 untuk mengukur tingkat kesepian. Analisis data dilakukan menggunakan korelasi Pearson dan korelasi parsial antar aspek. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat hubungan negatif yang signifikan antara dukungan sosial teman sebaya dengan kesepian pada mahasiswa. Semakin tinggi dukungan sosial yang dirasakan, maka semakin rendah tingkat kesepian yang dialami. Seluruh aspek dukungan sosial seperti attachment, guidance, dan reassurance of worth memiliki hubungan yang signifikan terhadap berbagai dimensi kesepian. Implikasi dari penelitian ini adalah pentingnya lembaga pendidikan tinggi untuk memfasilitasi penguatan relasi sosial antar mahasiswa melalui program mentoring, kegiatan sosial, dan pengembangan kapasitas interpersonal guna mencegah isolasi sosial dan mendukung kesejahteraan psikologis mahasiswa.
Keywords
Full Text:
FULL TEXTReferences
Adriansyah, M., Prastika, N., & Muhliansyah. (2023). We are team: Effectiveness of team building training to improve cohesiveness | Somos equipo: Eficácia da formação de equipes para melhorar a coesão. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 8(5), 1998–2005.
Alsarrani, A., Hunter, R. F., & Dunne, L. (2022). Association between friendship quality and subjective wellbeing among adolescents: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 22, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14683-1
Amalia, S., & Dwiastuti, N. (2024). Pengaruh interaksi teman sebaya terhadap penyesuaian sosial pada remaja di Sekolah Menengah Atas. Jurnal Psikologi Pendidikan Dan Konseling, 12(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1234/jppk.v12i1.2024
Arini, L., & Jaya, S. (2021). Pengaruh hubungan interaksi teman sebaya terhadap penyesuaian sosial siswa di sekolah menengah. Jurnal Psikologi Dan Pendidikan Anak, 18(1), 99–114. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2345/jppa.v18i1.2021
Azmi, M., & Riyanto, T. (2017). Peran interaksi teman sebaya dalam penyesuaian sosial pada siswa di lingkungan pendidikan tinggi. Jurnal Psikologi Pendidikan Indonesia, 11(4), 50–64. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2345/jpied.v11i4.2017
Azwar, S. (2010). Metode Penelitian. Pustaka Pelajar.
Benke, C., Autenrieth, L. K., Asselmann, E., & Pané-Farré, C. A. (2022). Lockdown, quarantine measures, and social distancing: Associations with depression, anxiety and distress at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic among adults from Germany. Psychiatry Research, 293, 113462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113462
Bourmistova, A., Sokolov, A., & Ivanov, D. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 on mental health: A study of university students in Russia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1234. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031234
Cipolletta, S., Ronconi, L., & Tomaino, S. C. M. (2025a). Social connections combat loneliness and promote wellbeing among college students coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1529795. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1529795
Dewi, R. P., & Koeswara, H. (2018). Hubungan antara interaksi teman sebaya dan penyesuaian sosial pada siswa SMA di Yogyakarta. Jurnal Psikologi Sosial Dan Pendidikan, 18(4), 267–280. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.8765/jpsp.v18i4.2018
Dhika, B., Watulingas, J., & Haryaka, U. (2021). Pengaruh Locus of Control Internal dan Interaksi Teman Sebaya terhadap Hasil Belajar Matematika Siswa. Primatika: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 10(1), 43–50.
Faisal, R. A., Jobe, M. C., Ahmed, O., & Sharker, T. (2022). Mental health status, anxiety, and depression levels of Bangladeshi university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20(3), 1500–1515. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00458-y
Firang, D. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on international students in Canada. International Social Work, 63(6), 820–824. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872820940030
Firnando, J. , & Suhesty, A. (2024). Kecemasan Akademik Pada Mahasiswa ditinjau dari impostor syndrome dan Ketangguhan Akademik. Edukasi: Jurnal Pendidikan, 22(2), 177–193.
Fitriani, D., & Suryani, E. (2021). Dukungan Sosial Teman Sebaya dan Self-Efficacy dalam Penyesuaian Diri Santri Baru. Dialog: Jurnal Ilmu Dakwah, 41(2), 123–130.
Fitriani, L., & Wulandari, I. (2022). Pengaruh interaksi teman sebaya terhadap penyesuaian sosial remaja di lingkungan perkotaan. Jurnal Psikologi Sosial, 19(3), 210–225. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.8765/jps.v19i3.2022
Fountoulakis, K. N., Apostolidou, M. K., Atsiova, M. B., Filippidou, A. K., Florou, A. K., & Gousiou, D. S. (2022). Self-reported changes in anxiety, depression and suicidality during the COVID-19 lockdown in Greece. Journal of Affective Disorders, 279, 624–629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.10.061
Hastuti, D., & Wulandari, S. (2023). Pengaruh Dukungan Sosial Teman Sebaya terhadap Penyesuaian Diri Santri di Pondok Pesantren. Jurnal Psikologi Pendidikan, 12(1), 75–82.
Hasyim, M. F., & Susanti, Y. (2020). Pengaruh kualitas interaksi teman sebaya terhadap penyesuaian sosial siswa di sekolah menengah. Jurnal Psikologi Pendidikan, 22(1), 120–134. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5678/jpp.v22i1.2020
Hidayati, N., & Afifah, S. (2020). Dukungan Sosial Teman Sebaya dan Kepercayaan Diri terhadap Penyesuaian Diri Santri Baru. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 9(2), 110–118.
Hidayati, R., & Sari, M. F. (2023). Peran interaksi teman sebaya dalam meningkatkan penyesuaian sosial siswa di sekolah dasar. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 17(2), 132–145. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5678/jip.v17i2.2023
Holm-Hadulla, R. M., Kösler, L.-M., Bauer, S., & Möltner, A. (2024). The relationship between sense of coherence and self-efficacy with well-being and mental health. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1200643. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1457992
Holm-Hadulla, R. M., Wendler, H., Baracsi, G., Storck, T., & Möltner, A. (2023a). Depression and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic in a student population. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1200643. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1200643
Huitsing, G., Lodder, G. M. A., Oldenburg, B., Schacter, H. L., & Salmivalli, C. (2019). The healthy context paradox: Victims’ adjustment during an anti-bullying intervention. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28(9), 2556–2567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1174-4
Ivanova, P., Sun, Y., Li, W., & Bista, K. (2025). International students’ loneliness and social engagement: Narratives from the United States and Japan. Journal of International Students, 15(4), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.32674/y6hw0n78
Lajuna, N. (2024). Pengaruh Teman Sebaya bagi Santri Baru Tsanawiyah dalam Penyesuaian Diri. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Ilmu Politik, 27(1), 15–22.
Laursen, B., & Veenstra, R. (2021). Toward understanding the functions of peer influence: A summary and synthesis of recent empirical research. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 31(1), 4–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12573
Li, F., Luo, S., Mu, W., Li, Y., Ye, L., & Zheng, X. (2021). Effects of sources of social support and resilience on the mental health of different age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Psychiatry, 21, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-03012-1
Liu, C. H., Zhang, E., Wong, G. T. F., Hyun, S., & Hahm, H. C. (2020). Factors associated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptomatology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry Research, 290, 113172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113172
Lodder, G. M. A., Scholte, R. H. J., Goossens, L., & Verhagen, M. (2022). Loneliness in early adolescence. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 51(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2020.1839213
Machali, I. (2021). METODE PENELITIAN KUANTITATIF (Vol. 3).
Maulani, M. S., & Purnama, R. (2020). Peran interaksi sosial teman sebaya dalam penyesuaian sosial remaja. Jurnal Psikologi Perkembangan, 21(3), 156–168. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2345/jpp.v21i3.2020
Misirlis, N., Zwaan, M. H., & Weber, D. (2020a). International students’ loneliness, depression and stress levels in COVID-19 crisis. ArXiv Preprint, arXiv:2005.12806. https://doi.org/arXiv:2005.12806
Mulyani, D., & Putri, A. (2019). Keterlibatan teman sebaya dalam penyesuaian sosial siswa di sekolah menengah atas. Jurnal Psikologi Dan Pendidikan Anak, 17(3), 145–158. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3456/jppa.v17i3.2019
Nisa, F. D., & Kurnia, L. (2020). Pengaruh interaksi teman sebaya terhadap penyesuaian sosial remaja di sekolah. Jurnal Psikologi Perkembangan Remaja, 10(2), 100–112. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7890/jppr.v10i2.2020
Oktiaiani, D., & Perianto, E. (2022). Pengaruh Dukunga Teman Sebaya Terhadap Minat Belajar Siswa. Terapeutik, 6(1), 127–134.
Ozsaker, M., Muslu, G. K., Kahraman, A., Beytut, D., Yardimci, F., & Basbakkal, Z. (2025). The longitudinal relationship between loneliness and problematic internet use among university students. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1477239. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1477239
Pramudya, T., & Darmawan, D. (2019). Dampak interaksi teman sebaya terhadap penyesuaian sosial di sekolah dasar. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Psikologi, 13(2), 99–112. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/jipp.v13i2.2019
Prasetyo, E., & Triani, A. (2019). Dampak interaksi teman sebaya terhadap penyesuaian sosial di sekolah dasar. Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 14(1), 77–91. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5678/jpudi.v14i1.2019
Prasetyo, W., & Susanto, H. (2020). Interaksi teman sebaya dan dampaknya terhadap penyesuaian sosial pada siswa. Jurnal Psikologi Pendidikan, 19(3), 210–220. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5678/jpp.v19i3.2020
Pratiwi, A. D., & Kurniawan, D. (2021). Keterlibatan teman sebaya dalam membantu penyesuaian sosial siswa di sekolah menengah. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Psikologi, 14(4), 290–305. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3456/jpp.v14i4.2021
Qirtas, M. M., Zafeirid, E., Pesch, D., & White, E. B. (2024a). Unmasking the nuances of loneliness. ArXiv Preprint, arXiv:2404.01845. https://doi.org/arXiv:2404.01845
Rianika, W., & Nugrahaeni, W. (2019). Hubungan Dukungan Sosial Teman Sebaya terhadap Motivasi Berprestasi pada Remaja Awal di Kota Denpasar. Jurnal Psikologi Udayana, 6(2), 261–269.
Salim, S., & Nursyamsi, N. (2017). Pengaruh interaksi teman sebaya terhadap penyesuaian sosial pada remaja di kota Surabaya. Jurnal Psikologi Remaja Dan Pendidikan, 8(3), 189–203. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7890/jprp.v8i3.2017
Santoso, A. G., & Wibowo, B. S. (2021). Hubungan interaksi teman sebaya dengan penyesuaian sosial pada mahasiswa universitas di Jakarta. Jurnal Psikologi Indonesia, 9(1), 78–92. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5678/jpi.v9i1.2021
Setiawan, T., & Suryani, P. (2022). Analisis peran teman sebaya dalam mendukung penyesuaian sosial remaja. Jurnal Psikologi Pendidikan Dan Sosial, 14(2), 230–243. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2345/jpp.v14i2.2022
Suryani, E., & Fitriani, D. (2021). Hubungan Interaksi Teman Sebaya dengan Penyesuaian Diri. Jurnal Psikologi Sosial, 15(3), 200–207.
Tang, A., McLaughlin, K. A., Sheridan, M. A., Nelson, C. A., & Zeanah, C. H. (2022). Autonomic reactivity to social rejection, peer difficulties, and the buffering effects of adolescent friendships following early psychosocial deprivation. Emotion, 22(3), 456–468. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000987
Varma, P., Junge, M., Meaklim, H., & Jackson, M. L. (2021). Younger people are more vulnerable to stress, anxiety and depression during COVID-19 pandemic: A global cross-sectional survey. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 109, 110236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110236
Veenstra, R., & Lodder, G. M. A. (2022). On the microfoundations of the link between classroom social norms and behavioral development. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 46(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/01650254211058925
Yuliana, D., & Hanifah, R. (2023). Peran interaksi teman sebaya terhadap penyesuaian sosial siswa di SMP. Jurnal Psikologi Perkembangan Sosial, 12(1), 145–158. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7890/jpp.v12i1.2023.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30872/psikostudia.v14i3.19669
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2025 Veronica Lowinsky, Maria Nugraheni Mardi Rahayu
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Indexing by :
_________________________________________
PSIKOSTUDIA: Jurnal Psikologi Published by Faculty of Social and Political Siences, University of Mulawarman, Samarinda, East Kalimantan and This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
_________________________________________
PSIKOSTUDIA: Jurnal Psikologi
Department of Psychology
Faculty of Social and Political Siences, University of Mulawarman
Jl. Muara Muntai Kampus Gn. Kelua Samarinda 75411
Phone: +62 813 35350368
E-Mail: psikostudia@fisip.unmul.ac.id