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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effects of a single-session character strengths intervention (CSI) on improving identity formation and self-efficacy, and reducing self-doubt of Malaysian emerging adults enrolled in tertiary education. Method: A randomized active-controlled trial with pretest, posttest, 2-week follow-up was conducted. A total of 129 undergraduate students (age 18 – 25) were randomly assigned to either the CSI or the control group, which participated in a gatekeeper training for suicide prevention. Data from emerging adults and perceived adults were analysed separately through a mixed-design analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results: The results indicated that CSI showed no effects in improving emerging adults’ identity formation, self-efficacy, and self-doubt. Additionally, this study explored incidental findings such as the developmental differences between emerging adults and perceived adults at pretest, in which emerging adults had significantly lower identity formation and self-efficacy, as well as significantly higher self-doubt as compared to perceived adults. Conclusions: Despite the current results not being significant, this study revealed important developmental differences between emerging adults and perceived adults.

Bahasa Abstract

Tujuan: Untuk mengetathui efek intervensi kekuatan karakter satu sesi (CSI) dalam meningkatkan pembentukan identitas dan efikasi diri, serta mengurangi keraguan diri pada dewasa awal Malaysia yang terdaftar dalam pendidikan tinggi. Metode: Uji coba terkontrol secara acak dengan pretest, posttest, follow-up 2 minggu dilakukan. Sebanyak 129 mahasiswa (usia 18 - 25) secara acak ditugaskan ke grup CSI atau grup kontrol, yang mengikuti pelatihan pencegahan bunuh diri. Data dari dewasa awal dan dewasa dianalisis secara terpisah melalui analisis varians desain campuran (MANOVA). Hasil: Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa CSI tidak menunjukkan efek dalam meningkatkan pembentukan identitas, efikasi diri, dan keraguan diri pada dewasa awal. Selain itu, studi ini mengeksplorasi hasil insidental seperti perbedaan perkembangan antara dewasa awal dan dewasa pada pretest, di mana dewasa awal memiliki pembentukan identitas dan efikasi diri yang secara signifikan lebih rendah, serta keraguan diri yang secara signifikan lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan dewasa. Kesimpulan: Meskipun hasil tidak signifikan, studi ini mengungkapkan perbedaan perkembangan penting antara dewasa awal dan dewasa.

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