Exploring Peer Support as a Determinant of Religious Character and Student Well-Being in Faith Based-Education
Published 2025-11-11
Keywords
- Peer support,
- Religious character,
- Student well-being,
- Faith-based education
How to Cite
Abstract
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