LOST IN TRANSITION: PSYCHOLOGICAL FLEXIBILITY AND QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS AMONG FRESH GRADUATES (A CORRELATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE STUDY)

Abstract

The Indonesian Health Survey (2023) noted high levels of psychological stress among the 15-24 age group, including recent college graduates who face post-graduation uncertainty and intense job competition. This study aims to examine the relationship between psychological flexibility and quarter-life crisis (QLC), as well as to analyze differences in QLC levels based on gender among fresh graduates. The study design employed a quantitative correlational and comparative approach. The participants involved in this study consisted of 57 fresh graduates from Sultan Agung Islamic University aged 20-24 tears, selected through purposive sampling. Data collection utilized the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-49 (AAQ-49) and the Quarter-Life Crisis Scale based on the theory by Robbins and Wilner (2001). The data analysis techniques employed were Pearson’s correlation and the independent samples t-test. The correlation test results indicated a significant negative relationship between psychological flexibility and QLC (r = -0.808; p < 0.01), meaning that the higher the psychological flexibility, the lower the level of QLC experienced. Meanwhile, the results of the comparative test showed no significant difference in QLC levels between male and female fresh graduates (t = 0.951; p = 0.346). This indicates that the QLC phenomenon is experienced equally regardless of gender. This study implies the importance of developing psychological intervention programs based on psychological flexibility to mitigate the impact of QLC on new graduates.