Organized Activities in Peer Groups Improve Mental and Social Well-Being in Adolescents: A Qualitative Study Suharmanto1,2,*, Suyanto Bagong3, Purnomo Windhu4, Sugihartati Rahma3, Soedirham Oedojo4, Sutinah3 1Doctoral Student, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior Science, Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University, Surabaya 2Lecturer at Medical Faculty, Universitas Lampung, Indonesia 3Lecturer at The Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University, Surabaya 4Lecturer at The Faculty of Politic and Social Science, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia *Corresponding Author: Suharmanto, Doctoral Student, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior Science, Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University. Address: Mulyorejo, Surabaya, Indonesia, e-mail: suhar_manto46@yahoo.com
Online published on 23 December, 2019. Abstract Introduction Mental and social well-being in adolescents can be improved by organized activities in peer groups. This qualitative study aimed to explore organized activities in peer groups related to mental and social well-being in adolescents. Method Five focus groups were carried out with 30 adolescents aged 12–24 in Surabaya, Indonesia. Participants were purposively selected and had all experienced organized activities. A thematic approach was used for analysis and data collection was completed at the point of data saturation. Results Four interconnected themes emerged from the data; (a) self-esteem and self-regulation, (b) resilience, hardiness and mental toughness, (c) social adjustment and (d) social support in organized activities. Adolescents who involve in sports, arts, and clubs have high confidence, easiness to control their emotion, stronger in facing various problems. They also felt more adapt, respect, tolerant of others and get social support. Conclusions This study demonstrates that organized activities in peer groups improve mental and social well-being. Adolescents can have good self-esteem, self-regulation, resilience, hardiness and mental toughness. Adolescents also can have good social adjustment and social support. One of the efforts to prevent a mental and social problem is early recognition or detection in adolescents. Top Keywords Organized activities, peer groups, mental and social well-being, adolescents, qualitative research, focus groups. Top |