Check for updates
Articles

Social Media and Post-Relationship Distress Maintenance

A Narrative Analysis Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Articles
https://doi.org/10.63203/021856600
Regi Malsya
Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci

Abstract

The growing narratives of pain, distrust, and "numbness" post-relationship among young adults, largely reinforced by social media, inspire this research. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to understand factors that perpetuate post-relationship suffering in young adult women using the lens of cognitive behavioral counseling therapy. This research uses a narrative qualitative approach with four female participants aged 18-25 years in Siulak District, Kerinci Regency, who have experienced suffering following a romantic breakup and actively consume emotional content on social media. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and by observing the participants’ digital activity in public content on TikTok and Instagram. The results of the research suggest that discomfort persists via cognitive distortion, social retreat, and emotional reinforcement through the recurrent intake of digital content. The research suggests that social media is not just a location for emotional affirmation but can also preserve a wounded identity. The results suggest the importance of the counseling sincere strategy based on CBT and digital emotional literacy.

Keywords

cognitive behavior therapycognitive distortiondigital reinforcementpost-relationship distresssocial media

Author Biography

Regi Malsya, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci

How to Cite

Malsya, R. (2026). Social Media and Post-Relationship Distress Maintenance: A Narrative Analysis Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. TheraEdu: Journal of Therapy and Educational Psychology, 2(1), 28–41. https://doi.org/10.63203/021856600
Download CitationEndnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX

Licensing Information

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References Total References: 55

  1. Anggraita, A. D., & Witarso, L. S. (2022). Hubungan Regulasi Emosi dan Subjective Well-Being pada Individu Dewasa Awal yang Mengalami Putus Cinta. Jurnal Psikogenesis, 10(2), 139–153. https://doi.org/10.24854/jps.v10i2.2863
  2. Ayubi, Z. Al, Zees, A., Usman, A., & Malo, S. N. (2025). Strategi Self-Regulation Berbasis Cognitive Behavioral Therapy dalam Mengurangi Prokrastinasi pada Mahasiswa: Tinjauan Literatur. Jurnal Psikologi, 21(2), 106–112. https://doi.org/10.30588/jpsi.v21i2.2246
  3. Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders. International Universities Press.
  4. Cataldo, I., Lepri, B., Neoh, M. J. Y., & Esposito, G. (2021). Social Media Usage and Development of Psychiatric Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence: A Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 508595. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.508595
  5. Christie, S. A., & Khoirunnisa, R. N. (2025). Regulasi Emosi pada Dewasa Awal Pasca Putus Cinta: Studi Komparatif Berdasarkan Gender. Liberosis: Jurnal Psikologi Dan Bimbingan Konseling, 16(2), 31–40. https://doi.org/https://cibangsa.com/index.php/liberosis/article/view/5325
  6. Clandinin, D. J., & Connelly, F. M. (2000). Narrative Inquiry: Experience and Story in Qualitative Research. Jossey-Bass. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267446793_Narrative_Inquiry_Experience_and_Story_in_Qualitative_Research
  7. Cook, K., Kurniati, N., Suwartono, C., Widyarini, N., Worthington Everett, & Cowden, R. (2022). Differential effects of decisional and emotional forgiveness on distress and well-being: A three-wave study of Indonesian adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 918045. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.918045
  8. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.id/books?hl=en&lr=&id=DLbBDQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&ots=-it07aDQNv&sig=EXV0WJ_3molPUBOQUGNguSX2It4&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
  9. Crossley, M. L. (2000). Introducing Narrative Psychology: Self, Trauma and the Construction of Meaning. Open University Press. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=RWLlAAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
  10. Danasasmita, F. S., Pandia, V., Fitriana, E., Afriandi, I., Purba, F., Ichsan, A., Pradana, K., Santoso, A. H. S., Mardhiyah, F. S., & Engellia, R. (2024). Validity and reliability of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form in Indonesian non-clinical population. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1380354. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1380354
  11. Davis, D., Shaver, P., & Vernon, M. (2003). Physical, Emotional, and Behavioral Reactions to Breaking Up: The Roles of Gender, Age, Emotional Involvement, and Attachment Style. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29(1), 871–884. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167203029007006
  12. Dobson, D., & Dobson, K. S. (2018). Avoidance in the Clinic: Strategies to Conceptualize and Reduce Avoidant Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviors With Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Practice Innovations, 3(1), 32–42. https://doi.org/10.1037/pri0000061
  13. Exline, J. J., Pargament, K. I., Grubbs, J. B., & Yali, A. M. (2014). The Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale: Development and Initial Validation. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 6(3), 208–222. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036465
  14. Fauzi, N. C., & Selian, S. N. (2025). Regulasi Emosi pada Individu Dewasa Awal yang Mengalami Quarter-Life Crisis. Kognisi: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Dan Konseling, 2(1), 9–21. https://glonus.org/index.php/kognisi/article/view/280
  15. Fauziah, S., Sabilla, K. El, & Pikoli, A. Y. (2025). Scroll , Tap , Repeat : Habitus Digital sebagai Petualangan Identitas dalam Dunia Virtual Scroll , Tap , Repeat : Habitus Digital as Identity Journey in Virtual Space. Buletin Psikologi, 33(1), 82–95. https://doi.org/10.22146/buletinpsikologi.97608
  16. Gehl, K., Brassard, A., Dugal, C., & Lefebvre, A.-A. (2024). Attachment and Breakup Distress: The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies. Emerging Adulthood, 12(1), 41–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968231209232
  17. Hikmat, R., Suryani, S., Yosep, I., Jeharsae, R., Widianti, E., Hidayati, N. O., Sutini, T., Hernawaty, T., Sriati, A., & Rafiyah, I. (2025). Community-based recovery interventions for improving mental health in schizophrenia patients: a scoping review in Southeast Asia. BMC Psychiatry, 25(527), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06962-6
  18. Ho, S., Cook, K., Chen, Z., Kurniati, N. M. T., Suwartono, C., Widyarini, N., Wong, P., & Cowden, R. (2022). Suffering, psychological distress, and well‐being in Indonesia: A prospective cohort study. Stress and Health, 38(5), 879–890. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3139
  19. Inaltekin, A., & Yağcı, İ. (2024). Social Media Addiction and Emotional Intelligence in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 34(2), 127–133. https://doi.org/10.5152/pcp.2024.23818
  20. Jamila, A., Setyohadi, D., Limantara, S., Pambudi, P., & Illiandri, O. (2021). Social media addiction and stress among indonesian medical students in Banjarmasin. Jurnal Kedokteran Syiah Kuala, 21(2), 106–111. https://doi.org/10.24815/jks.v21i2.19603
  21. Kalsum, S., & Laksmiwati, H. (2023). Resiliensi Pada Dewasa Awal Pasca Putus Cinta. Character : Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 10(3), 641–663. https://doi.org/10.26740/cjpp.v10i03.54526
  22. Lembang, E., & Gismin, S. S. (2025). Hubungan Regulasi Emosi Terhadap Self Compassion Pasca Putus Cinta Pada Mahasiswa. Jurnal Psikologi Karakter, 5(1), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.56326/jpk.v5i1.5824
  23. Lugito, N., Damay, V., Chyntya, H., & Sugianto, N. (2021). Social media exposure and mental health problems during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Indonesia. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 10(1), 200. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1032_20
  24. Majid, A. S., & Khoirunnisa, R. N. (2025). Studi Fenomenologi Mekanisme Koping pada Individu Pasca Putus Cinta. Liberosis: Jurnal Psikologi Dan Bimbingan Konseling, 6(2), 41–50. https://cibangsa.com/index.php/liberosis/article/view/5341
  25. Malsya, R., Sujadi, E., Indra, S., & Wahyudi, I. (2025). The Psychological Condition of Parents with Children Addicted to Glue: Emotional Tension and Parental Guilt. Al-Musyrif: Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling Islam, 8(2), 208–223. https://doi.org/10.38073/almusyrif.v8i2.2763
  26. Medeiros, L. F. de, Araújo, G. da C., Costa, L. M. T., Oliveira, I. C. S. de, & Veras, R. M. (2021). Psychological Suffering, Medicalization and Women: Contributions in the Field of Public Health. Estudos e Pesquisas Em Psicologia, 21(4), 1561–1580. https://doi.org/10.12957/epp.2021.64035
  27. Mudjiyanto, B., Yanuar, F., Lusianawati, H., Sahid, U., Prof, J., No, S., & Selatan, J. (2025). Antropomorfisme Digital dan Memudarnya Dukungan Emosional : Analisis Kehampaan Sosial Gen Z di Era Digital. JIMU: Jurnal Ilmiah Multi Disiplin, 3(3), 926–940. ojs.smkmerahputih.com/index.php/jimu/article/view/1250
  28. Nalendra, B. A., & Satwika, Y. W. (2026). Pengaruh Problematic Internet Use terhadap Ruminasi pada Dewasa Awal Pengguna Sosial Media di Surabaya. Character Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 13(1), 150–157. https://doi.org/10.26740/cjpp.v13n01.p150-157
  29. Nazari, A., Hosseinnia, M., Torkian, S., & Garmaroudi, G. (2023). Social media and mental health in students: a cross-sectional study during the Covid-19 pandemic. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1), 458. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04859-w
  30. Nickerson, A., Hoffman, J., Keegan, D., Kashyap, S., Tricesaria, D., Pestalozzi, Z., Rachmah, A., Nandyatama, R., Khakbaz, M., Nilasari, N., & Liddell, B. (2022). Context, coping, and mental health in refugees living in protracted displacement. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 35(6), 1769–1782. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22885
  31. Piccirillo, M., Dryman, T., & Heimberg, R. (2016). Safety Behaviors in Adults With Social Anxiety: Review and Future Directions. Behavior Therapy, 47 5, 675–687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2015.11.005
  32. Pramukti, I., Nurmala, I., Nadhiroh, S., Tung, S., Gan, W., Siaw, Y., Yang, Y.-N., Griffiths, M., Lin, C.-Y., & Pakpour, A. A. (2023). Problematic Use of Internet Among Indonesia University Students: Psychometric Evaluation of Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form. Psychiatry Investigation, 20(12), 1103–1111. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2022.0304
  33. Purboningsih, E. R., Massar, K., Hinduan, Z., Agustiani, H., Ruiter, R., & Verduyn, P. (2023). Perception and use of social media by Indonesian adolescents and parents: A qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 985112. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.985112
  34. Purnama, H., Darmawati, I., & Mulyatin, W. (2021). Social Media Addiction and the Association with Self-Esteem among Adolescents in Rural Areas of Indonesia. The 4th International Virtual Conference on Nursing, 671–679. https://doi.org/10.18502/kls.v6i1.8741
  35. Purnawati, M. M. S., Wirawan, M. M. P. A., & Primayanti, M. Mb. D. (2024). The Role of Irrational Beliefs on Psychological Distress among Female Office Workers in Bali. Acta Medica Philippina, 58(2), 91–97. https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.vi0.5527
  36. Putri, A. R., & Kurniawan, Y. (2023). Kecemasan Menjalin Relasi Romantis: Studi Kasus terhadap Perempuan Penyintas Toxic relationship. PHILANTHROPY Journal of Psychology, 7(1), 90–107. https://doi.org/10.26623/philanthropy.v7i1.6839
  37. Rahmania, S., Abdullah, M. N. A., & Mujayapura, M. R. R. (2025). Pengaruh Algoritma Tiktok Terhadap Regulasi Emosi Dan Kesehatan Mental Gen Z Dalam Fenomena Quotes Sedih. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 11(9), 233–243. https://jurnal.peneliti.net/index.php/JIWP/article/view/12898
  38. Riessman, C. K. (2008). Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences. SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=V1YXBAAAQBAJ&printsec=copyright&hl=id&source=gbs_pub_info_r#v=onepage&q&f=false
  39. Rumondor, P. C. B. (2026). Gambaran Proses Putus Cinta pada Wanita Dewasa Muda di Jakarta: Sebuah Studi Kasus. Humaniora, 4(1), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.21512/humaniora.v4i1.3415
  40. Sandra, L. (2025). Digital emotional regulation paradox: a cross-sectional study on mindful technology use moderates the relationship between social media emotional content exposure and psychological resilience. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 1411. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03727-4
  41. Sastra, N. P., Linawati, Sukadarmika, G., Suputra, I., Ariwilani, N. M., & Swandi, N. L. I. D. (2025). Dataset on cognitive distortions for text classification in Indonesian language. Data in Brief, 61, 111836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2025.111836
  42. Shulman, S., & Yonatan-Leus, R. (2024). The longitudinal correlates of breakup distress in early young adulthood: Future distress and future benefits. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 41(10), 3008–3030. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075241260358
  43. Silvianetri, S. (2021). Impact of Social Media Use on Community Psychology and its Implications in Counseling. Alfuad: Jurnal Sosial Keagamaan, 5(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.31958/jsk.v5i1.3592
  44. Sofiannisa, S., Mori, R. H., Lisbeth, F. H., & Khairat, I. (2025). Teknik Cognitive Restructuring Dalam Konseling: Mengubah Pola Pikir Negatif Menjadi Positif Melalui Pendekatan Literatur. Conseils (Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling Islam), 5(1), 119–128. https://doi.org/10.55352/bki.v5i1.1971
  45. Sujarwoto, Saputri, R. A. M., & Yumarni, T. (2021). Social Media Addiction and Mental Health Among University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 21(2), 96–110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-021-00582-3
  46. Sukma, F. F., & Setiawati, D. (2025). Studi tentang Regulasi Emosi pada Peserta Didik Berprestasi Pasca Putus Cinta di SMA Negeri 3 Sidoarjo. Jurnal BK UNESA, 15(1), 185–191. https://ejournal.unesa.ac.id/index.php/jurnal-bk-unesa/article/view/67542
  47. Surijah, E. A., Prasad, G., & Saraswati, M. (2021). Couple resilience predicted marital satisfaction but not well-being and health for married couples in Bali, Indonesia. Psikohumaniora: Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 6(1), 13–32. https://doi.org/10.21580/pjpp.v6i1.6520
  48. Sutanto, Y., Ibrahim, D., Septiawan, D., Sudiyanto, A., & Kurniawan, H. (2021). Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Improving Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Pre-Diagnosed Lung Cancer Patients. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP, 22(11), 3455–3460. https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2021.22.11.3455
  49. Syakarofath, N. A., Biorohmi, A. N., & Latipun, L. (2021). The Role of Peer Rejection in Adolescent Internalizing Problems. Jurnal Psikologi, 20(2), 140–151. https://doi.org/10.14710/jp.20.2.140-151
  50. Verhallen, A., Renken, R., Marsman, J., & Ter Horst, G. (2019). Romantic relationship breakup: An experimental model to study effects of stress on depression (-like) symptoms. PLoS ONE, 14(5), e0217320. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217320
  51. Widiastuti, R., Saputra, D., Rizka, C. M., & Apriliana, N. F. (2025). Analisis Konten mengenai Pengalaman Emosional Emerging Adults terkait Ghosting pada Hubungan Romantis. Inquiry: Jurnal Ilmiah Psikologi, 16(2), 57–81. https://doi.org/10.51353/zjpfee48
  52. Yan, K., Ikani, N., Yusainy, C., Guineau, M., Witteman, C., & Spijker, J. (2025). Mapping Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Repetitive Negative Thinking Among Non‐Western Undergraduate Students: A Network Analysis. PsyCh Journal, 14(5), 635–649. https://doi.org/10.1002/pchj.70043
  53. Yusainy, C., Fitria, I., Sarirah, T., Wicaksono, W., & Santosoputro, A. (2023). Not all #complaints are equally contagious: an Instagram experiment. The Journal of General Psychology, 151(1), 63–75. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221309.2023.2182268
  54. Zainita, U. H., Martha, E., Amelia, T., & Safitri, D. (2025). Beyond a digital habit: Socio-ecological perspectives on social media disorder among Indonesian college students. AIMS Public Health, 12(4), 1128–1145. https://doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2025057
  55. Zech, J., Patel, T., & Cougle, J. (2023). Safety Behaviors Predict Long-Term Treatment Outcome Following Internet-Based Treatment of Adults with Social Anxiety Disorder. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 47, 412–422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-023-10368-7