The effectiveness of islamic character values-based group counseling in reducing bullying behavior among students in brebes regency

Abstract

Bullying remains a significant psychosocial problem in educational settings, negatively affecting students' psychological well-being, social relationships, and academic adjustment. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Islamic character-based group counseling in reducing bullying behavior among junior high school students in Brebes Regency, Indonesia. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control-group design was employed, involving 30 students selected through purposive sampling based on identified bullying-related problems. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups, with the experimental group receiving counseling integrating Islamic character values, including empathy, compassion, justice, responsibility, and mutual respect. Bullying behavior was measured using a scale assessing verbal aggression, physical aggression, and manipulative behavior, with acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .745). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired-samples t test. The findings indicated a reduction in bullying scores following the intervention, with the highest score in the experimental group decreasing from 93 to 85, compared with 93 to 91 in the control group. The reported pretest–posttest analysis also indicated a statistically significant difference (p < .05). These findings suggest that Islamic character-based group counseling is a promising approach for addressing bullying behavior and promoting positive interpersonal relationships among junior high school students. Further comparative analyses are needed to establish the intervention's effectiveness relative to the control condition.