The research was conducted by Rosnalisa Zein and a multidisciplinary team from Trust Psikologi Indonesia, Binawan University, and the High School of Law Litigation under Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
Published in 2026 in the Asian Journal of Healthcare Analytics, the study examined the psychological condition of Indonesian adolescents amid growing academic pressure, social expectations, and limited implementation of school-based mental health services.
The research involved 311 high school students in North Jakarta, including 167 female students and 144 male students from both public and private schools.
The findings showed that depression was the strongest factor linked to low self-confidence among teenagers. Female adolescents were also found to have significantly lower self-confidence than male students, even though anxiety and depression levels were relatively similar between genders.
The study arrives at a critical time for Indonesia, which has more than 45 million adolescents while mental health services remain limited and heavily affected by social stigma. Researchers argued that schools must become the frontline for early mental health detection and intervention.
According to Rosnalisa Zein and her colleagues, Indonesia already has legal foundations supporting adolescent mental health through the Mental Health Law No. 18 of 2014 and the Child Protection Law No. 35 of 2014. However, implementation in schools remains inconsistent.
“Schools are not only places for academic learning, but also key environments shaping adolescent psychological well-being,” the researchers noted in the study.
The team used a quantitative survey approach involving three internationally recognized psychological instruments: the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Self-Confidence Inventory (SCI).
The surveys were conducted directly in schools with parental consent and researcher supervision. Statistical analyses, including factorial ANOVA and multiple regression, were used to examine the relationships between school type, gender, anxiety, depression, and self-confidence.
Several major findings emerged from the study:
- Private school students reported significantly higher anxiety levels.
- Public school students demonstrated stronger self-confidence.
- Female adolescents showed lower self-confidence than males.
- Depression was the strongest predictor of low self-confidence.
- Anxiety and depression were strongly interconnected.
Overall, the average anxiety and depression scores among participants fell within the moderate category. However, private school students displayed greater psychological distress.
Researchers suggested that this may be influenced by competitive academic environments, high achievement expectations, financial pressures on families, and institutional demands often associated with private education.
In contrast, public schools were considered to provide a more socially diverse environment that may help students develop healthier self-confidence.
The study also highlighted the role of gender in adolescent mental health in Indonesia. Female students were found to face greater social pressure related to appearance, social acceptance, and behavioral expectations, all of which may weaken self-confidence.
Interestingly, gender differences were not statistically significant for anxiety or depression levels. Researchers believe that intense academic and social pressures in urban areas may affect nearly all adolescents regardless of gender.
Statistical analysis further revealed that depression had the strongest negative relationship with self-confidence. The higher a student’s depression score, the lower their self-confidence tended to be.
The findings reinforce cognitive psychology theories suggesting that depression can create persistent negative perceptions about oneself, the future, and the surrounding environment. Over time, this condition may affect academic achievement, social relationships, and long-term mental health risks.
Researchers emphasized that school mental health interventions should no longer rely on generalized approaches. Different student groups require different forms of support.
For private schools, the study recommends programs focused on anxiety management, reducing excessive competition, and strengthening peer support systems.
Public schools, meanwhile, are encouraged to improve depression awareness and early identification of psychological symptoms such as social withdrawal, emotional instability, and declining academic engagement.
The research team also proposed gender-sensitive interventions for female students, including confidence-building programs, peer support groups, and education addressing social pressure and body image concerns.
For male students, schools are encouraged to create safe spaces for emotional expression and normalize conversations about anxiety, stress, and sadness to reduce stigma.
The study concluded that adolescent mental health problems in Indonesia are shaped not only by individual factors, but also by school environments and broader sociocultural pressures.
Rosnalisa Zein and her colleagues believe mental health policies in schools must become more targeted, data-driven, and context-sensitive to effectively support different groups of students.
Author Profile
Rosnalisa Zein is affiliated with Trust Psikologi Indonesia and the Psychology Bureau of Sudindik JU II Kota. The study also involved Iwan Kusnawirawan, Dwi Ratna Sari Handayani, Hernayati, Muhammad Arsyad Subu, and Imam Waluyo.
The authors represent institutions specializing in psychology, healthcare, law, and adolescent development research in Indonesia.
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