The Effectiveness of Group Counseling in Improving Students' Self-Esteem at MTsN 2 Bandung amid the Phenomenon of Social Comparison on Social Media

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical period for the development of self-esteem, and the widespread use of social media has intensified the tendency of students to engage in social comparison with their peers. This study examined the effectiveness of group counseling in improving the self-esteem of students at MTsN 2 Bandung who exhibited low self-esteem associated with social comparison on social media. A quantitative approach with a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was employed. Twelve students identified through the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale as having low self-esteem were selected through purposive sampling and received six sessions of group counseling using cognitive restructuring techniques. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results indicated a statistically significant increase in students' self-esteem scores after the intervention (Z = -3.06, p < 0.05), with the average score rising from the low to the moderate-to-high category. The findings confirm that group counseling is an effective intervention for reducing the negative impact of social comparison on social media and for enhancing adolescents' self-esteem. These results suggest that school counselors should integrate group counseling programs into guidance services to help students build healthier digital comparison habits.