Exploring Peer Support as a Determinant of Religious Character and Student Well-Being in Faith Based-Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65638/2978-5634.2025.01.10Keywords:
Peer support, Religious character, Student well-being, Faith-based educationAbstract
This study explores the role of peer support as a determinant of religious character formation and student well-being in faith-based schools using a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data from 195 students were collected via Likert-scale questionnaires assessing peer support, religious character, and psychological well-being. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews and participant observation to capture how peer interactions function in daily school life. Findings show that peers serve as motivators, supervisors, advisors, and role models, reinforcing religious values and promoting positive social and emotional experiences. Peer support enhances student well-being by fostering a sense of belonging, emotional reassurance, academic motivation, and social skills such as empathy and teamwork. Religious character and peer support operate synergistically: religiosity provides meaning and life direction, while peer support energizes daily religious practices. The study highlights that integrating peer relationships with teacher-facilitated school programs creates a holistic educational environment that nurtures both spiritual development and psychological well-being.
References
Abubakar, A., Maifizar, A., Fajri, H., Basri, B., Arif, A. M. & Saputra, N. (2025). Integrating Entrepreneurial Values Into Faith-Based Education: A Study of Traditional Pesantren in Aceh. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 13(2), 1421-1446. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v13i2.1934
Allen, K.-A., King, R. B. & Chai, C.-S. (2023). Exploring wellbeing in education during the COVID-19 pandemic: emerging research and implications for the future. Educational Psychology, 43(5), 403-406. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2023.2239679
Anggia, G. S. & Murti, H. A. S. (2025). The Relationship Between Social Support and Achievement Motivation in UKSW Psychology Students. Eduvest - Journal of Universal Studies, 5(4), 4182-4191. https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v5i4.51086
Anggraeni, D., Hadiyanto, A. & Hakam, A. (2023). Multicultural Islamic Religious Education Based on Local Wisdom: The Analysis of “SILAS” Values in Sundanese Culture. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Education Studies (IJIES), 6(1), 93-108. https://doi.org/10.33367/ijies.v6i1.3649
Anggraeni, D., Hakam, A., Mardiyah, I. & Lubis, Z. (2019). Membangun Peradaban Bangsa Melalui Religiusitas Berbasis Budaya Lokal. Jurnal Studi Al-Qur’an, 1(2), 96. https://doi.org/10.21009/JSQ.015.1.05
Anggraeni, D. & Maharani, S. (2024). Strategi penanaman karakter Cinta Tanah Air melalui kegiatan kepesantrenan di Pondok Pesantren Al Khair Wal Barokah. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Religious Education (INJIRE), 2(1). https://doi.org/10.63243/1ccyka30
Bahri, R., Rofiqi, M. & Rusydiyah, E. F. (2025). Religious moderation education: a comparative study of Islamic approaches in Indonesia and Malaysia with implications for faith-based education. International Studies in Catholic Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/19422539.2025.2519727
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.84.2.191
Bouhmama, D. (1984). Assessment of Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development in Two Cultures. Journal of Moral Education, 13(2), 124-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305724840130206
Carlo, G. (2014). The development and correlates of prosocial moral behaviors. In Handbook of moral development, 2nd ed (pp. 208-234). Psychology Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203581957.ch10
Fowler, J. W., & Dell, M. L. (2006). Stages of Faith From Infancy Through Adolescence: Reflections on Three Decades of Faith Development Theory. In The handbook of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence (pp. 34-45). Sage Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412976657.n3
Krohn, M. D., & Massey, J. L. (1980). Social Control and Delinquent Behavior: An Examination of the Elements of the Social Bond. The Sociological Quarterly, 21(4), 529-544. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1980.tb00634.x
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860
Wentzel, K. R., & Wigfield, A. (1998). Academic and Social Motivational Influences on Students’ Academic Performance. Educational Psychology Review, 10(2), 155-175. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022137619834
Baron, R. M. & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173-1182. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173
Biggs, E. E. & Carter, E. W. (2016). Quality of Life for Transition-Age Youth with Autism or Intellectual Disability. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(1), 190-204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2563-x
Bouhmama, D. (1984). Assessment of Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development in Two Cultures. Journal of Moral Education, 13(2), 124-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305724840130206
Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Carlo, G. (2014). The development and correlates of prosocial moral behaviors. In Handbook of moral development, 2nd ed (pp. 208-234). Psychology Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203581957.ch10
Chenot, D., Benton, A. D. & Kim, H. (2009). The Influence of Supervisor Support, Peer Support, and Organizational Culture Among Early Career Social Workers in Child Welfare Services. Child Welfare, 88(5).
Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310-357. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.98.2.310
Fowler, J. W., & Dell, M. L. (2006). Stages of Faith From Infancy Through Adolescence: Reflections on Three Decades of Faith Development Theory. In The handbook of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence (pp. 34-45). Sage Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412976657.n3
Gladstone, J. R. & Cimpian, A. (2021). Which role models are effective for which students? A systematic review and four recommendations for maximizing the effectiveness of role models in STEM. International Journal of STEM Education, 8(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-021-00315-x
King, P. E. & Chris J., B. (2004). Exploring Adolescent Spiritual and Religious Development: Current and Future Theoretical and Empirical Perspective. Applied Developmental Science, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532480XADS0801_1
Krohn, M. D., & Massey, J. L. (1980). Social Control and Delinquent Behavior: An Examination of the Elements of the Social Bond. The Sociological Quarterly, 21(4), 529-544. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1980.tb00634.x
Lickona, T. (1992). Educating for Character: How Our Schools Can Teach Respect and Responsibility. Bantam. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=Cx0nJf7KZAcC
Liu, X., Yang, K., Hong, J.-C., Xu, J. & Yang, D. (2025). Peer support, teacher support, and activity value in a STEAM contest: the role of helicopter parenting in learning. Social Psychology of Education, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-024-09983-3
Lubis, Z. & Anggraeni, D. (2019). Paradigma Pendidikan Agama Islam di Era Globalisasi Menuju Pendidik Profesional. Jurnal Online Studi Al-Qur’an. https://doi.org/10.21009/JSQ.015.1.07
Marciano, L. & Viswanath, K. (2023). Social media use and adolescents’ well-being: A note on flourishing. Frontiers in Psychology, 14(April). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1092109
Masturin, M. (2023). Development of Islamic Religious Education Materials Based on Religious Moderation in Forming Student Character. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v3i4.310
Muzayanah, F. & Anggraeni, D. A. (2023). Leadership of Women Ulama During Pandemic in Pesantren: Study in Kebon Jambu Ciwaringin and Al-Baqaroh Lirboyo. Potensia, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.24014/potensia.v9i1.23265
Nantara, D. (2022). Pembentukan Karakter Siswa Melalui Kegiatan di Sekolah dan Peran Guru. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 6, 229-238. https://doi.org/10.55719/jt.v6i1.222
Rahman, S. (2024). Pentingnya Motivasi Belajar Dalam Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Siswa. ALFIHRIS. ALFIHRIS: Jurnal Inspirasi Pendidikan, 2(3), 61-68. https://doi.org/10.59246/alfihris.v2i3.843
Ryan, R. M. & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, 101860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860
Steenkamp, G. & Goosen, R. (2025). An emotional intelligence workshop to support sustainability skills development in accounting students. International Journal of Management Education, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101241
Sugiyono. (2014). Metode Penelitian Kombinasi. Alfabeta.
Suryadin, A. (2020). Pola Pendidikan Karakter Dalam Mengatasi Kenakalan Remaja DI Kabupaten Bangka Barat. Jurnal Penelitian Kebijakan Pendidikan, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.24832/jpkp.v13i1.362
Tambak, S. & Sukenti, D. (2020). Strengthening Islamic behavior and Islamic psychosocial in developing professional Madrasah teachers. Cakrawala Pendidikan, 39(1), 65-78. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v39i1.26001
Weber, A. & Eriksen, D. V. (2021). the Impact of Covid-19 on Student Well-Being and Learning.
Wentzel, K. R., Muenks, K., McNeish, D. & Russell, S. (2017). Peer and teacher supports in relation to motivation and effort: A multi-level study. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 49, 32-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2016.11.002
Wentzel, K. R., & Wigfield, A. (1998). Academic and Social Motivational Influences on Students’ Academic Performance. Educational Psychology Review, 10(2), 155-175. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022137619834
Zheng, Y., Zakaria, E., Akhir, N. M. & Hassan, N. (2026). Resilience, Dispositional Hope, and Psychological Well-Being Among Chinese College Students: Perceived Social Support as a Mediator. Journal of Population and Social Studies, 34, 178-198. https://doi.org/10.25133/JPSSv342026.010
