Islamic reflective therapy for psychological well-being in k-pop fans with BID: Spirituality comparison

Departement of Psychology, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: siti_fatimah@umm.ac.id

Abstract

Exposure to idealized beauty standards in K-Pop has been linked to BID and reduced PWB. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of IRT in improving PWB among female K-Pop fans with BID and to compare outcomes between groups with high and low levels of spirituality. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest two-group design was used, involving 48 Muslim women who were divided into high and low spirituality groups. Both groups received four IRT sessions over two weeks, incorporating tafakur, self-reflection, Qur’anic verses, and structured journaling. PWB was assessed using the Ryff PWB Scale. Wilcoxon tests showed significant improvements in PWB in both groups (p < .001), and Mann–Whitney U tests revealed that the high spirituality group experienced significantly greater gains (Cohen’s d = 1.28). These findings suggest that IRT is an effective culturally grounded intervention for improving PWB in Muslim women experiencing BID. Moreover, spirituality enhances the therapeutic impact of IRT, serving as a psychological buffer against the sociocultural pressures imposed by popular media. This study highlights the value of integrating Islamic reflective practices into mental health interventions designed for young Muslim populations in globalized cultural environments.