Dynamics of Self-Awareness and Transcendental Experience in High School Students: A Phenomenological Study from the Perspective of the Psychology of Religion
Fadilla Neva Ariyana, Siti Nurlaila, S. Ramadhan, Miranda Miranda, Surawan Surawan
International Journal of Education and Literature April 30, 2026 DOI: 10.55606/ijel.v5i1.347 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSpiritual experiences during worship foster self-awareness and character development in adolescents. In-depth interviews with two high school students aged 15–18 revealed that such experiences promote a sense of closeness to God, encourage self-reflection, help cope with stress, and increase awareness to improve behavior. The findings suggest that transcendental experiences play a significant role in adolescent self-awareness and character formation.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study, phenomenological method Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | High school students aged 15–18 |
| Keywords | Transcendental number Perspective graphical Interpretative phenomenological analysis Closeness Dynamics music |
| Key finding | Spiritual experiences in worship practices foster a sense of closeness to God, encourage self-reflection, help students cope with stress, and foster awareness to improve behavior. |
Abstract
This study aims to understand the dynamics of self-awareness and transcendental experiences in high school students from the perspective of the psychology of religion. Adolescence is a developmental phase characterized by the search for identity, self-reflection, and increased spiritual awareness. This study used a qualitative approach with phenomenological methods to explore students' subjective experiences related to self-awareness and spiritual experiences. The study participants consisted of two high school students aged 15–18, selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data collection was conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews supported by field notes. The data were analyzed using phenomenological analysis through the stages of phenomenological reduction, identification of key statements, grouping themes, and essential descriptions of experiences. The results indicate that spiritual experiences in worship practices foster a sense of closeness to God, encourage self-reflection, help students cope with stress, and foster awareness to improve behavior. These findings suggest that transcendental experiences play a significant role in the development of self-awareness and character formation in adolescents.