The Role of Grit and Spiritual Beliefs in Overcoming Bullying

What is it about?

This study explores how Indonesian adolescents who have experienced bullying can still achieve psychological well-being, known as flourishing. Flourishing includes feeling positive emotions, having strong relationships, and living a meaningful life. The researchers found that grit—defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals—helps these adolescents recover from the emotional damage caused by bullying. However, grit alone is not enough. The study highlights the important role of spiritual fortitude, which refers to inner strength drawn from spiritual beliefs. Spiritual fortitude strengthens the positive impact of grit, helping adolescents find meaning in their suffering and build resilience. The research involved over 1,100 participants aged 15–23 who had experienced bullying, and used surveys to measure their levels of grit, spiritual fortitude, and flourishing. Results showed that both grit and spiritual fortitude significantly predict flourishing, and that spiritual fortitude acts as a bridge between grit and well-being. This means adolescents are more likely to thrive when they are both determined and spiritually grounded. The findings suggest that mental health and educational programs should focus not only on teaching perseverance, but also on nurturing spiritual strength to help young people overcome the lasting effects of bullying. The study adds to existing knowledge by showing how cultural and spiritual factors influence psychological resilience in a non-Western setting like Indonesia.

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Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is one of the first to investigate the role of spiritual fortitude in the mental health of bullying victims within an Indonesian context. While grit has been widely studied, spiritual fortitude—a culturally and religiously relevant concept in Indonesia—has rarely been examined as a psychological resilience factor. Our research offers timely insight as bullying remains a widespread issue among Indonesian youth, with long-term effects on mental health. By identifying spiritual fortitude as a key mediator between grit and flourishing, this study introduces a novel, culturally sensitive approach to adolescent recovery. It provides evidence-based support for incorporating spiritual development into mental health and educational programs. This unique focus can influence future policy and intervention designs tailored for collectivist and religious societies, making the findings relevant beyond Indonesia.

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