From Reflection to Action: Empowering Students’ Multicultural Self-Efficacy through Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Group Counseling
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v11i4.17638Keywords:
Group Counseling, High School Students, Inclusive Education, Multicultural Self-Efficacy, Youth Participatory Action ResearchAbstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of multicultural group counseling integrated with the Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) approach in enhancing multicultural self-efficacy among Indonesian high school students. Using a mixed-methods method, nine students were selected through purposive sampling based on their willingness to participate, representation of cultural diversity, and absence of serious psychological concerns. They completed an eight-session YPAR-based group counseling intervention. Quantitative data were collected using the Multicultural Self-Efficacy Scale–High School Version (MSES–HS) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and effect size calculations. The results revealed a substantial increase in multicultural self-efficacy (ΔM = 88.78), representing approximately 49.8% of the total scale range, with all five dimensions—cultural knowledge, cultural values, cultural awareness, communication, and flexibility—showing significant improvement (p < .01; r = .89). Qualitative data derived from reflection journals, focus group discussions, and facilitator observations indicated enhanced intercultural empathy, increased communication confidence, and a shift from passive tolerance to proactive engagement. These findings align with Bandura’s self-efficacy and social learning theories and Corey’s group counseling framework, which emphasize experiential learning, peer modeling, and reflective dialogue. The integration of YPAR into multicultural counseling not only demonstrated statistical effectiveness but also fostered agency, cultural identity development, and a more participatory school climate. This study offers a culturally responsive and scalable intervention model for inclusive education, particularly in multicultural contexts such as Indonesia.
References
Adiputra, S., & Mujiyati, M. (2018). Multicultural Counseling in Cultural Perspective Indonesia. International Conference on Educational Sciences, 544–549. https://doi.org/10.5220/0007044205440549
Agustin, A. K. M., Mulawarman, M., & Sutarmi, S. (2025). Dampak Evaluasi Kinerja Terhadap Self-Efficacy Calon Konselor Sekolah dalam Melaksanakan Konseling Individu: Pendekatan Mixed Method. Jurnal Ilmiah Global Education, 6(3), 2109–2115. https://doi.org/10.55681/jige.v6i3.4133
Aydogan, M., McGlothlin, J., & Jencius, M. (2024). The relationship of self-efficacy, self-advocacy and multicultural counselling competency of school counsellors: A structural equation model. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 34(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/20556365231207245
BALABA, R. M. (2023). Social Impact of Multicultural Education on Indigenous Secondary Learners of Caraga Region. AIDE Interdisciplinary Research Journal, 5(1), 42–72. https://doi.org/10.56648/aide-irj.v5i1.87
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Prentice Hall.
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy in Changing Societies. Cambridge University Press.
Barorah, N., & Daulay, N. (2023). The Ability of Group Counseling Guidance Services to Prevent Customary Behavior Using a Self-Counseling Approach. Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies, 6(1), 49–54. https://doi.org/10.23887/jlls.v6i1.58650
Begjani, J., Hosseini, A. S. S., Saneifard, H., & Hasanabad, V. R. (2024). Social learning-based health literacy promotion on the self efficacy and social anxiety of adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology, 10(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40842-024-00167-8
Boerma, M., Beel, N., Jeffries, C., & Ruse, J. (2023). Review: Recommendations for male-friendly counselling with adolescent males: A qualitative systematic literature review. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 28(4), 536–549. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12633
Bunu, H. Y. (2016). Memindai Penerapan Bimbingan Dan Konseling Dengan Pendekatan Multikultural Di SMA. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 35(3), 386–402. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v35i3.8892
Chong, E. S. K., Chen, H., Chui, H., & Luk, S. (2024). Perceived Cultural Humility in Supervision Group and Trainees’ Cultural Responsiveness Self-Efficacy. Psychotherapy, 62(1), 44–54. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000540
Choompunuch, B., Kamdee, K., & Taksino, P. (2024). Exploring the Components of Multicultural Competence among Pre-Service Teacher Students in Thailand: An Approach Utilizing Confirmatory Factor Analysis. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 14(9), 2476–2490. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14090164
Cook, A. L., Levy, I., & Whitehouse, A. (2020). Exploring youth participatory action research in urban schools: Advancing social justice and equity-based counseling practices. Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, 12(1), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.33043/jsacp.12.1.27-43
Corey, G. (2016). Theory & Practice of Group Counseling (10th ed.). Cengage Learning, Inc.
Creswell, J. W. (2015). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research (5th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.
Fei, B., Huang, G., & Cai, X. (2024). Improving the cross-cultural consciousness and self-efficacy of college students through STEM education / Mejorar la concienciación transcultural y la autoeficacia de los estudiantes universitarios mediante la educación STEM. Cultura y Educacion, 36(2), 479–499. https://doi.org/10.1177/11356405241261299
Harun, M. M., Jaafar, W. M. W., Ismail, A., & Arifin, S. (2024). Personal and Academic Multicultural Experiences, Perceived Multicultural Counselling Competence and Multicultural Counselling Self-efficacy Among Malaysian Counsellor Trainees. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 32(S3), 93–112. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.32.S3.06
Haryadi, R. (2020). Interelasi Kompetensi Profesional, Multikultural, dan Efikasi Diri Konselor Sekolah. Guidance: Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 17(2), 33–42. https://doi.org/10.34005/guidance.v17i02.1160
Khofifah, N., Netrawati, N., & Ardi, Z. (2023). Promoting Career Maturity through Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Group Counseling: A Pathway to Informed Decision-Making for Students. Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling Terapan, 7(2), 161. https://doi.org/10.30598/jbkt.v7i2.1854
Kırcalı, M., & Cesur, K. (2024). Development and Validation of a Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Scale to Measure Pre-service EFL Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs. SAGE Open, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241236589
Kornbluh, M. (2023). Making the case for youth participatory action research opportunities to enhance social developmental scholarship. Social Development, 32(3), 759–775. https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12678
Krok-Schoen, J. L., Chaplow, Z. L., Chase, C., Spees, C., Rosko, A., Naughton, M. J., Smith, J., Soufi, S., Beck, M., & Focht, B. C. (2024). E-PROOF: E-intervention for protein intake and resistance training to optimize function: A study protocol. PLoS ONE, 19(5 May), e0302727. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302727
Lemon, E. D., Ruiz, K., Ling, A., Campos, J. P., Roche, K. M., Suglia, S., Livingston, M., & Woods-Jaeger, B. (2025). “Together we are stronger”: YPAR and Latinx immigrant youth resilience and resistance to oppressive immigration policies. American Journal of Community Psychology, 75(3–4), 433–446. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12812
Levy, I. P., Edirmanasinghe, N., Ieva, K., & Hilliard, C. (2023). Youth Participatory Action Research as School Counseling Praxis: A Scoping Review. Professional School Counseling, 27(1a). https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759x231153347
Marandu, D. F., & Mauki, C. M. M. (2023). Vicarious Experience as a Predictor of Self-efficacy in Condom Use among Adolescents in Tanzania: Reflections from Media, Peers and Adults. Huria Journal of the Open University of Tanzania, 28(2). https://doi.org/10.61538/huria.v28i2.1145
Perez, A., Grizzell, S., Fischer, J., & Jazinski, J. (2023). Multicultural Counselor Supervision and Perceived Differences on Client Outcome. Contemporary Research in Disability and Rehabilitation, 3(2), 21–37. https://doi.org/10.51734/crdr.v3i2.54
Pradana, D. A., Degeng, I. N. S., Kuswandi, D., & Degeng, M. D. K. (2024). Self-efficacy of preservice teachers in technology-based learning in diverse classrooms: a case study at an Indonesian private university. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 16(5), 2026–2046. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-06-2023-0236
Purwandari, R., Afandi, A. T., Amini, D. A., Ardiana, A., & Kurniawan, D. E. (2023). The Overview of Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students. Babali Nursing Research, 4(1), 100–108. https://doi.org/10.37363/bnr.2023.41184
Putri, N. L. M. W. D., & Suastini, N. W. (2023). Implementation of Group Counseling Services With Solution Focused Brief Counseling Model To Improve Career Self-Efficacy. Indonesian Journal of Educational Development (IJED), 4(1), 50–57. https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v4i1.2736
Rahim, M., Puluhulawa, M., Pautina, M. R., & Lakadjo, M. A. (2025). Bimbingan dan Konseling Klasikal dan Kelompok. PT. Star Digital Publishing.
Ratu, B., Nurwahyuni, Herlina, Ratman, & Musa, I. (2022). Development of Self-Regulatory Design Based on Local Cultural Values in Adolescents. Jurnal Aisyah: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 7(3), 1011–1016. https://doi.org/10.30604/jika.v7i3.1746
Rose, R. E., Singh, S., Berezin, M. N., & Javdani, S. (2024). “Roses have thorns for a reason”: The promises and perils of critical youth participatory research with system-impacted girls of Color. American Journal of Community Psychology, 73(1–2), 144–158. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12651
Sahu, A., Bell, A. S., Ridley, C. R., & Tran, V. (2024). Multicultural Counseling Skills Evaluation Form: A Tool for Clinical Supervision. Counseling Psychologist, 52(6), 842–873. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000241248099
Salazar, B., Hunter, A. E., Kirshner, B., & Lopez, S. (2024). Healing Justice in Multicultural Counseling. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 53(1), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12311
Sholeh, M. I., Azah, N., Arifin, Z., Rosyidi, H., Sokip, S., Syafi’I, A., & Sahri, S. (2024). Development of a Multicultural Curriculum to Enhance Student Tolerance in Senior High School. IJE : Interdisciplinary Journal of Education, 2(3), 163–176. https://doi.org/10.61277/ije.v2i3.147
Smith, J. D., Culbreth, J. R., & Flowers, C. P. (2023). An exploration of factors contributing to multicultural counseling self-efficacy in addiction counselors. Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling, 44(1), 2–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaoc.12118
Smith, L., Davis, K., & Bhowmik, M. (2010). Youth Participatory Action Research Groups as School Counseling Interventions. Professional School Counseling, 14(2), 174–182. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X1001400206
Sylwia, P., Barzykowski, K., Tracz-Krupa, K., Cassar, V., & Said, E. (2024). Developing cross-cultural competence of students through short-term international mobility programme. International Journal of Training and Development, 28(2), 169–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12315
Torres Rivera, E., & Torres Fernández, I. (2025). Decolonization is liberation: Operationalization of decolonial model of counseling using liberation psychology principles with the Latine population(s). Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 53(1), 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12310
Vandermorris, A., Wigle, J., Tam, M., Peresin, J., Dalal, S., Kwong, I., Little, M., Polakovic, M., Begun, S., Imran, M., Kosevic, A., Nayab, A., Ray, M., Byman, H., Gammond, J., Rathwell, S., Wall, L., Toulany, A., McKinnon, B., … Harrison, M. E. (2024). Application of Youth-Led Participatory Action Research to Examining Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Ontario: What Can We Learn? Health Promotion Practice, 26(5), 913–925. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399241298836
Yang, T., Xiao, H., Fan, X., & Zeng, W. (2023). Exploring the effects of physical exercise on inferiority feeling in children and adolescents with disabilities: a test of chain mediated effects of self-depletion and self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1212371
Yosef, Harlina, Sofah, R., & Muslifar, R. (2021). Skala Efikasi Diri Multikultural Siswa SMA. In Bening Media Publishing (Vol. 15, Issue 01). Bening media Publishing.
Yosef, Rozzaqyah, F., & Sucipto, S. D. (2022). Multicultural Self-efficacy of Undergraduate Students Majoring in Guidance and Counseling. Education Quarterly Reviews, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1993.05.01.431
Yosef, Y., Rahmi, R., Chya, A., Shelliataprimande, S., Putri, N. J., & Tanury, T. S. (2023). Analysis of Multicultural Behavior of Senior High School Students. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 15(3), 3167–3178. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v15i3.2992
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
License and Publishing Agreement
In submitting the manuscript to the journal, the authors certify that:
- They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
- That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
- That its publication has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities tacitly or explicitly of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
- They agree to the following license and publishing agreement.
Copyright
Authors who publish with JK agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Licensing for Data Publication
-
Open Data Commons Attribution License, http://www.opendatacommons.org/licenses/by/1.0/ (default)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
