Healing Minds and Souls: The Impact of Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy on Cyberbullied Adolescents

Abstract

Cyberbullying affects adolescent mental health, contributing to depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy (TIIP) combines psychological therapy with Islamic spiritual practices, offering a culturally relevant treatment for Muslim adolescents. This study evaluates TIIP’s effectiveness in reducing suicidal ideation and improving mental health among cyberbullied adolescents. It also explores how demographic factors, such as gender, bullying duration, and bullying type, influence the intervention’s impact. A One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design was used to assess changes in mental health before and after the intervention. Ten adolescents, aged 14 to 19, participated in 11 therapy sessions, incorporating psychological counselling and Islamic spiritual practices like Salah and Dhikr. Paired sample t-tests analyzed changes in suicidal ideation, self-harm, and well-being, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The results showed significant improvements in mental health. Subjective well-being increased (pre-test mean: 30.30, post-test mean: 17.10, t = 4.50, p = 0.00), as did self-harm behaviors (pre-test mean: 26.70, post-test mean: 16.80, t = 2.61, p = 0.02). The most significant change was in suicidal ideation (pre-test mean: 28.00, post-test mean: 15.60, t = 3.17, p = 0.01), indicating that TIIP effectively reduced emotional distress and suicidal thoughts. TIIP alleviated immediate distress and promoted long-term resilience, integrating Islamic teachings and providing a sense of purpose and belonging. These results highlight the importance of culturally relevant interventions that blend spiritual and psychological approaches. The study recommends expanding TIIP-based programs in communities where Islamic values are central and further research to confirm long-term effectiveness.