Positive Psychology-Based Psychoeducation to Improve Generation Z Self-Esteem

Authors

  • Alda Syafira Master of Psychological Science Program, Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia
  • Djudiyah Master of Psychological Science Program, Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58526/jsret.v5i3.1199

Keywords:

Self-Esteem, Social comparison, Psychological Empowerment, digital literacy, Generation Z

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a positive psychology-based digital psychoeducation intervention in improving self-esteem among Generation Z individuals who experience upward social comparison on social media. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was employed, involving 13 participants selected through purposive sampling. The intervention was delivered digitally over four days and included gratitude journaling and character strengths components. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale before and after the intervention. Results showed that the mean self-esteem score increased from 26.69 at pretest to 28.31 at posttest, with a medium effect size (Cohen's d = 0.50). However, the paired sample t-test indicated that this increase was not statistically significant (t = -1.819, df = 12, p = 0.094). These findings suggest a promising, though inconclusive, direction of change, indicating that brief digital positive psychology interventions may hold potential benefits for improving self-esteem that warrant further testing with larger samples and a control group

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alfonso-Fuertes, I., Álvarez-Mon, M. A., Ortega, M. A., et al. (2023). Time spent on Instagram and body image, self-esteem, and physical comparison among young adults in Spain: An observational study. JMIR Formative Research, 7, e42207. https://doi.org/10.2196/42207

Andrade, F. C., Erwin, S., Burnell, K., Jackson, J., Storch, M., Nicholas, J., & Zucker, N. (2023). Intervening on social comparisons on social media: Electronic daily diary pilot study. JMIR Mental Health, 10, e42024. https://doi.org/10.2196/42024

Burnell, K., George, M. J., Kurup, A. R., & Underwood, M. K. (2024). Adolescents' social comparison on social media: Links with momentary self-evaluations. Affective Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42761-024-00240-6

Cathlin, & Salim. (2024). The effectiveness of psychoeducation intervention program for enhancing self-esteem and empathy.

Cingel, D. P., Carter, M. C., & Krause, H. V. (2022). Social media and self-esteem. Current Opinion in Psychology, 45, 101304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101304

Cregg, D. R., & Cheavens, J. S. (2021). Gratitude interventions: Effective self-help? A meta-analysis of the impact on symptoms of depression and anxiety. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(1), 413-445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00236-6

DataReportal. (2024). Digital 2024: Indonesia. DataReportal - Global Digital Insights.

de Valle, M. K., Gallego-García, M., Williamson, P., & Wade, T. D. (2021). Social media, body image, and the question of causation: Meta-analyses of experimental and longitudinal evidence. Body Image, 39, 276-292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.10.001

Diniz, G., Korkes, L., Tristão, L. S., Pelegrini, R., Bellodi, P. L., & Bernardo, W. M. (2023). The effects of gratitude interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Einstein (São Paulo), 21, eRW0371. https://doi.org/10.31744/einstein_journal/2023RW0371

Donker, T., Griffiths, K. M., Cuijpers, P., & Christensen, H. (2009). Psychoeducation for depression, anxiety and psychological distress: A meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, 7, Article 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-7-79

Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389.

Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117-140.

Hooper, R., Guest, E., Ramsey-Wade, C., & Slater, A. (2024). A brief mindfulness meditation intervention buffers the negative impact of idealized social media images on state self-esteem.

Hu, Y. T., Liu, Q. Q., & Ma, Z. F. (2023). Does upward social comparison on SNS inspire adolescent materialism? A moderated mediation model of self-esteem and social self-efficacy.

Kang, S. (2025). Toward a healthier social media experience: Designing “inspiration” and “connection” features to reduce upward comparison.

Kirca, A., Oğuz-Duran, N., & Zorbaz, O. (2023). The effect of expressed gratitude interventions on psychological well-being.

Kruzan, K. P., et al. (2022). Social media-based interventions for adolescent and young adult mental health: A scoping review.

Ladwig, G., Schönhals, K., Quittkat, H. L., Dietel, F., & Vocks, S. (2025). Addressing the negative impact of social media use on body image and self-esteem: An online intervention program.

Le Blanc-Brillon, J., Savard, A., Bouffard, S., & Bouchard, S. (2025). The associations between social media use, social comparison, and mental health among young adults.

Liu, H., Kvintova, J., & Vachova, L. (2025). Parents' social comparisons and adolescent self-esteem.

Maroqi, N. (2018). Uji validitas konstruk pada instrumen Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale dengan metode confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) [Construct validity testing of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale using confirmatory factor analysis]. JP3I: Jurnal Pengukuran Psikologi dan Pendidikan Indonesia, 7(2).

Midgley, C., Thai, S., Lockwood, P., Kovacheff, C., & Page-Gould, E. (2021). When every day is a high school reunion: Social media comparisons and self-esteem.

Monteiro, R. P., Coelho, G. L. H., Hanel, P. H. P., de Medeiros, E. D., & da Silva, P. D. (2022). The self-esteem scale: Cross-cultural translation and validation.

Muñoz, M. B., Zafra-Agea, J. A., Marco, E. M., Flores-Saldaña, M., Vera-Remartínez, E. J., Esteve-Clavero, A., & Molés-Julio, M. P. (2026). Effectiveness of school-based psychoeducational programs in reducing bullying and improving self-esteem: A systematic review.

Orth, U., & Sowislo, J. F. (2013). Does low self-esteem predict depression and anxiety? A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 139(1), 213-240.

Parsons, C. A., Alden, L. E., & Biesanz, J. C. (2021). Influencing emotion: Social anxiety and comparisons on Instagram. Emotion, 21(7), 1427-1438. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001044

Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. American Psychological Association; Oxford University Press.

Proyer, R. T., Gander, F., Wellenzohn, S., & Ruch, W. (2015). Strengths-based positive psychology interventions: A randomized placebo-controlled online trial on long-term effects for a signature strengths versus a lesser strengths intervention. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, Article 456. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00456

Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton University Press.

Rüther, L., Jahn, J., & Marksteiner, T. (2023). #Influenced! The impact of social media influencing on self-esteem and the role of social comparison and resilience. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1216195. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1216195

Saboor, S., Medina, A., & Marciano, L. (2024). Application of positive psychology in digital interventions for children, adolescents, and young adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. JMIR Mental Health, 11, e56045. https://doi.org/10.2196/56045

Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410-421. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.60.5.410

Servidio, R., Soraci, P., Griffiths, M. D., Boca, S., & Demetrovics, Z. (2024). Fear of missing out and problematic social media use: A serial mediation model of social comparison and self-esteem. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 19, Article 100536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100536

Shadish, W. R., Cook, T. D., & Campbell, T. D. (2002). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference. Houghton Mifflin.

Statistics Indonesia (BPS). (2025, November 5). Tingkat pengangguran terbuka (TPT) sebesar 4,85 persen [Open unemployment rate reached 4.85 percent]. https://www.bps.go.id

Ünlü, S. (2025). Addressing social media burnout and enhancing well-being through mindfulness-based psychoeducation. Journal of Mental Health Studies.

Wakelin, K. E., Perman, G., & Simonds, L. M. (2021). Effectiveness of self-compassion-related interventions for reducing self-criticism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2586

Yuan, M., Sun, Y., Wang, Y., & Yu, L. (2025). The influence of upward social comparison on social network sites on middle school students' depression: A two-wave multiple mediation model. Development and Psychopathology, 37(3), 1685-1693. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579424001913

Downloads

Published

2026-07-25

How to Cite

Syafira, A., & Djudiyah. (2026). Positive Psychology-Based Psychoeducation to Improve Generation Z Self-Esteem. Journal of Scientific Research, Education, and Technology (JSRET), 5(3), 2109–2122. https://doi.org/10.58526/jsret.v5i3.1199