Positive School Climate and Emotion Regulation Proven Effective in Reducing High School Students' Verbal Aggressive Behavior

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FORMOSA NEWS

High school students with strong emotion regulation skills who study in a safe and supportive school environment are significantly less likely to engage in verbally aggressive behavior. This finding was revealed by three psychology researchers from the University of 17 August 1945 Surabaya—Subak Idah, Suroso, and Suhadianto—in an empirical study published in July 2026. The study examines the relationship between school climate and emotional regulation on the level of verbal aggressiveness among senior high school students. Its results emphasize the crucial need for psychological interventions and positive learning environments to curb moral crises and student violence.

Youth violence in Indonesia remains a critical social and educational concern. Data from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) records thousands of physical and psychological violence cases involving children annually. Within school settings, violence does not always take physical forms such as fights or brawls; it frequently manifests as verbal aggression, including swearing, mocking, threatening, and verbal bullying. Although verbal aggression leaves no visible physical scars, its damage to victims' mental health is severe—leading to reduced self-esteem, anxiety, loss of focus, and depression.

The study employed a quantitative correlational approach. The research team surveyed 275 active students at SMAN 2 Sumenep out of a total population of 1,300 students using an incidental sampling method. Data were gathered through psychological scale instruments tested for validity and reliability, including the Verbal Aggressiveness Scale, the School Climate Scale, and an adapted Indonesian version of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). The collected data were then statistically analyzed using multiple linear regression techniques.

Statistical analysis yielded three primary findings:

• Simultaneous Effect: A highly significant combined linear relationship exists between school climate and emotion regulation toward students' verbal aggressiveness ($F = 29.418$; $p = 0.001$).
• Role of School Climate: School climate shows a significant negative correlation with verbal aggressiveness ($t = -6.488$; $p = 0.001$). This indicates that a safer, more positive, and welcoming school environment corresponds to lower levels of verbal aggression among students.
• Role of Emotion Regulation: Emotion regulation also demonstrates a significant negative correlation with verbal aggressiveness ($t = -0.308$; $p = 0.001$). Students who effectively manage and re-evaluate their negative emotional triggers are less inclined to vent anger through insults or harsh words.

These findings offer practical implications for educators and school policymakers. Educational institutions must look beyond academic achievements and actively foster safe, inclusive, and supportive school climates. Furthermore, integrating emotion regulation training—such as anger management counseling and emotional literacy—into character development programs is vital. By teaching adolescents how to manage emotional responses during conflicts, schools can effectively reduce verbal bullying and interpersonal violence.

Author Profiles

• Subak Idah, S.Psi.: Researcher and academic in the Department of Psychology at the University of 17 August 1945 Surabaya, focusing on adolescent developmental psychology and educational behavior dynamics.
• Dr. Suroso, M.Si.: Lecturer and researcher in the Faculty of Psychology at the University of 17 August 1945 Surabaya, specializing in social psychology, interpersonal behavior, and quantitative research methods.
• Suhadianto, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psychologist: Lecturer and practicing psychologist at the University of 17 August 1945 Surabaya, concentrating on psychometrics, psychological measurement, and child and adolescent clinical psychology.

Research Source

Article Title: Relationship Between School Climate and Emotional Regulation with Verbal Aggressiveness in High School Students
Journal: Jurnal Multidisplin Madani (MUDIMA)
Publication Year: 2026 (Vol. 6, No. 7, pp. 1079–1087)
Official DOI : https://doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v6i7.98

URL : https://journalmudima.my.id/index.php/mudima