Surabaya, East Java— Living in
the Uncertainty of Human Rights Advocacy: A Psychoeducation-Based Case Study on
Activist Burnout in the Kamisan Movement. This research was conducted by Zita
Mugen E and IGAA Noviekayati from the Faculty of Psychology, University of
August 17, 1945 Surabaya, which was published in the International Journal of Scientific
Multidisciplinary Research (IJSMR) Vol. 4 No. 2 of 2026.
Research conducted by Zita Mugen
E and IGAA Noviekayati revealed that human rights activism is not only a matter
of ideological commitment, but also involves a long-term psychological burden.
In the context of political uncertainty and fears of repression, such pressure
can develop into activist burnout.
Activist
Burnout: The Impact of Prolonged Injustice Exposure
The Kamisan
action is known as a peaceful movement that fights for the resolution of gross
human rights violations, including the 1998–1999 tragedy. The symbol of the
black umbrella and silent action became a form of moral resistance to impunity.
But behind this
consistency, activists—the majority aged 18–25—face:
- Legal and political uncertainty
- Concerns about detention or intimidation
- Disappointment due to stagnation in the settlement of
human rights cases
- Moral pressure to stay present in action
Zita Mugen E
explained that fatigue in this context is not the same as ordinary work
fatigue. "Activist burnout is rooted in moral identity and a sense of
collective responsibility for victims of human rights violations," he
wrote in the article.
Measurement
Results: Anxiety and Stress Remain High
The research
used a pre-test and post-test approach on 10 activists, one action coordinator,
and interaction with the community around the demonstration site. The measuring
tools used include the DASS-42 for depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as
the Maslach framework-based activist burnout questionnaire.
Key
findings:
Before the
intervention:
- 70% of activists are in the low burnout category
- 30% of the moderate category
- 50% experience severe to very severe anxiety
- 30% experience severe to very severe depression
After
psychoeducation:
- 30% are in the very low burnout category
- 20% of the low category
- 40% of the moderate category
- 10% high category
Interestingly,
stress and anxiety levels in general do not immediately decrease drastically.
This suggests that interventions play a greater role in improving psychological
awareness than eliminating ongoing structural stress. IGAA Noviekayati
emphasized that the activists' anxieties are contextual. That is, fear and
vigilance arise as a rational response to socio-political situations, not
merely individual disturbances.
Psychoeducation
and Psychological First Aid
Interventions
provided include:
- Education about the symptoms and mechanisms of
activist burnout
- Group discussions for reflection and validation of
emotional experiences
- Guide to managing emotions and reframing the meaning
of rest
- Psychological First Aid (PFA) training for action
coordinators
- Distribution of educational leaflets to the community
around Apsari Park
The Surabaya
Kamisan Action Coordinator who was involved in the session admitted that he had
previously considered activist fatigue as just "ordinary tiredness".
After psychoeducation, he understood a pattern of emotional exhaustion and deeper
moral distress, especially after the incident of student detention and the rise
of political tensions in 2025.
Burnout as a
Moral Experience, Not an Individual Weakness
This study confirms that activist burnout should not be understood as a
personal weakness. Stress arises from:
- Repeated exposure to stories of injustice
- Lack of institutional response
- Culture of sacrifice in social movements
- The mismatch between idealism and political reality
Many activists
feel guilty when they want to rest. Rest is considered a moral failure. This
mindset reinforces emotional exhaustion. Research shows that without space for
reflection and collective support, burnout can progress into withdrawal or
emotional numbness.
Response of
the Surrounding Community
As part of the
intervention, the research team and activists distributed leaflets to residents
and traders around Apsari Park. The responses that appear tend to be neutral to
positive. No significant rejection was found, and some residents read the
material distributed. This step aims to reduce stigma and build understanding
that the Kamisan Action is a human rights-based peace movement.
Implications
for Social Movements and Policies
The results of
the study offer a number of recommendations:
• Integration
of psychoeducation in the routine activities of social movements
• Psychological
First Aid training for action coordinators
• Establishment
of structured peer support mechanisms
• Policy
approaches that consider the psychological impact of repression
The researcher
emphasized that maintaining the mental health of activists does not weaken the
struggle, but rather strengthens the sustainability of the movement.
Author
Profile
o Zita
Mugen E- University of August 17, 1945 Surabaya.
o
IGAA Noviekayati–University of August 17,
1945 Surabaya.
Research
Source
Mugen E, Z., &
Noviekayati, IGAA. (2026). Living with Uncertainty in Human Rights Advocacy:
A Psychoeducation Based Case Study of Activist Burnout in the Kamisan Movement.
International Journal
of Scientific Multidisciplinary Research (IJSMR), Vol. 4 No. 2, 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijsmr.v4i2.4
Official URL : https://journalijsmr.my.id/index.php/ijsmr
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