Cempaka Puri, Dwi Yulianti, Herpratiwi Herpratiwi, Rangga Firdaus

Technology Integration in Counseling Services: Development of E-Counseling as a Strategy for Handling Psychological Problems of Junior High School Students

Introduction

Technology integration in counseling services: development of e-counseling as a strategy for handling psychological problems of junior high school students. Develops an e-counseling system for junior high students, significantly reducing anxiety & depression. Provides flexible, effective tech integration for student psychological well-being.

Abstract

The use of technology-based e-counselling systems has been shown to have a significant impact on improving students' psychological well-being, especially in overcoming problems of academic stress, emotional anxiety, and depression. This study aims to develop and test the effectiveness of an e-counselling system in supporting students' mental health management using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) development model. With a two-group experimental design involving 50 seventh grade students at SMPN 1 Terbanggi Besar, the experimental group was given access to the e-counselling system, while the control group followed conventional counselling services. The results showed that the use of the e-counselling system resulted in a significant decrease in students' psychological symptoms, with the average anxiety score dropping from 6.5 to 2.9, and depression from 5.6 to 2.1. In contrast, the control group showed smaller changes. An independent t-test (t = 57.11; p < 0.05) confirmed that e-counselling was more effective in reducing anxiety and depression, and improving students' emotion regulation skills. In addition, the e-counselling system was shown to provide more flexible, responsive, and safe access to counselling services, with 80% of students feeling more comfortable in disclosing their personal problems through this platform. These findings suggest that technology integration in counselling services can be an innovative solution in improving students' psychological well-being and supporting the creation of an emotionally healthy learning environment.

Review

This manuscript addresses a highly pertinent and timely issue concerning the psychological well-being of junior high school students, proposing e-counseling as an innovative solution. The integration of technology into counseling services, particularly for a vulnerable age group experiencing academic stress, anxiety, and depression, is a significant endeavor. The study's primary objective—to develop and test the effectiveness of an e-counseling system—is commendable, reflecting a proactive approach to enhancing mental health support in educational settings. The abstract effectively conveys the urgency of the problem and the potential of the proposed technological intervention to make a tangible difference in students' lives. The methodology employed, utilizing the ADDIE development model followed by a two-group experimental design, provides a robust framework for assessing the e-counseling system's efficacy. Involving 50 seventh-grade students, the study clearly differentiated between an experimental group accessing the e-counseling system and a control group receiving conventional services. The reported quantitative findings are particularly compelling, demonstrating a significant reduction in anxiety (from 6.5 to 2.9) and depression scores (from 5.6 to 2.1) within the experimental group, which was statistically supported by an independent t-test (t = 57.11; p < 0.05). Beyond symptom reduction, the abstract highlights improvements in emotion regulation skills and valuable qualitative benefits, such as enhanced accessibility, flexibility, and a reported 80% increase in student comfort for disclosing personal problems via the platform. The findings strongly advocate for the integration of technology into school counseling services, positioning e-counseling as a highly effective and innovative strategy for addressing junior high school students' psychological problems. The demonstrated ability to significantly reduce anxiety and depression, coupled with improved emotion regulation and increased comfort in disclosure, underscores the system's potential to transform mental health support. This research offers valuable insights for educational institutions and policymakers seeking to foster healthier learning environments. Future research could explore the long-term sustainability and scalability of such systems, as well as their effectiveness across more diverse student populations and various socio-economic contexts. Overall, this study presents a strong case for embracing technological advancements to enhance student psychological well-being.

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