A Preliminary Evaluation of Virtual Reality-Assisted Strength-Based Creative Guided Imagery Counseling for Islamic Positive Self-Talk: A Mixed-Methods Study among Muslim Students

Mulawarman Mulawarman; Achmad Miftachul 'Ilmi; Najma Sana Nadhirah Hilman; Sigit Hariyadi; Edwindha Prafitra Nugraheni; Galuh Prawitasari; Galuh Nadhita; Rohmatus Naini; Agus Supriyanto; Amien Wahyudi; Alvia Ainil Lathifah; Nurul Hanifah Puteri; Ilma Zaerotul Farida

doi:10.25217/0020269824600

Authors

Mulawarman Mulawarman Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6150-6027
Achmad Miftachul 'Ilmi Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5873-3544
Najma Sana Nadhirah Hilman Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2209-241X
Sigit Hariyadi Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9167-9335
Edwindha Prafitra Nugraheni Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1585-720X
Galuh Prawitasari Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4889-3771
Galuh Nadhita Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2546-7198
Rohmatus Naini Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2422-0089
Agus Supriyanto Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6430-6805
Amien Wahyudi Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5411-3957
Alvia Ainil Lathifah Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7409-5050
Nurul Hanifah Puteri Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia
Ilma Zaerotul Farida Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25217/0020269824600

Keywords:

Guided-imagery counseling, Islamic positive self-talk, Muslim students, Strength-based approach, Virtual reality

Abstract

Mental health and self-development among university students have become important concerns in higher education, particularly among Muslim students who face academic, religious, and social expectations. Although previous studies have examined negative self-talk and conventional counseling approaches, limited empirical attention has been given to interventions integrating virtual reality, strength-based counseling, creative guided imagery, and Islamic psychological values. This preliminary study aimed to examine the feasibility and potential effects of Virtual Reality-Assisted Strength-Based Creative Guided Imagery Counseling, namely KKBK-SHINE, in improving positive self-talk among Muslim university students. The present study adopted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods framework. The initial quantitative phase utilized a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design, followed by a qualitative phase aimed at elucidating participants' subjective experiences post-intervention. A purposive sample of twelve individuals, identified with moderate to low levels of positive self-talk, was recruited and evenly allocated into an intervention and a control group. The intervention cohort underwent four sessions of the KKBK-SHINE program, whereas the control group received treatment as usual (TAU). Quantitative outcomes were assessed using a validated Positive Self-Talk Scale and evaluated via Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Subsequently, qualitative insights were gathered through interviews with the intervention participants and rigorously examined using thematic analysis. The results showed that the KKBK-SHINE group demonstrated greater improvement in positive self-talk than the control group. Qualitative findings revealed four themes: Islamic self-assessment, Islamic self-reinforcement, transformation of self-criticism, and Islamic self-management. Participants reported increased self-awareness, reduced self-blame, stronger emotional regulation, and spiritual coping through muhasabah, istighfar, and positive meaning-making. These findings suggest that KKBK-SHINE is a feasible and potentially beneficial intervention for enhancing positive self-talk among Muslim university students.

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