Intrapersonal Communication of Teenagers With Acne in Surabaya in Increasing Self-Confidence

Abstract

Rapid social changes have created widespread standards of physical beauty in society. Because of this, appearance is an important aspect that often influences a person's judgment. Adolescents with acne skin conditions often face social and psychological challenges due to the pressure of these beauty standards. As a result, adolescents become insecure about their appearance. This study uses a qualitative approach with phenomenological method to explore the intrapersonal communication of teenagers in Surabaya in improving self-confidence. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with five informants who were selected using purposive sampling technique. Data analysis was conducted using data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing techniques. The results showed that the process of intrapersonal communication in informants included four main stages: sensation, in the form of pain, itching, and embarrassment; perception, where acne is perceived as a flaw that affects social interactions; memory, in the form of the influence of negative comments that stick in the memory; and thinking, which is an effort to find solutions and accept oneself. The five informants managed to increase self-confidence through five strategies: objective self-evaluation, self-esteem, positive thinking, self-affirmation, and risk-taking courage. The findings confirm that intrapersonal communication plays an important role in building adolescents' self-confidence despite facing social pressure.

Perubahan sosial yang cepat menciptakan standar kecantikan fisik yang meluas di masyarakat. Karena hal ini, penampilan menjadi aspek penting yang sering kali memengaruhi penilaian seseorang. Remaja dengan kondisi kulit berjerawat sering menghadapi tantangan sosial dan psikologis akibat tekanan standar kecantikan ini. Akibatnya membuat remaja menjadi tidak percaya diri dengan penampilan mereka. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode fenomenologi untuk mengeksplorasi komunikasi intrapersonal remaja di Surabaya dalam meningkatkan kepercayaan diri. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara mendalam dengan lima informan yang dipilih menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Analisis data dilakukan dengan teknik reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa proses komunikasi intrapersonal pada informan mencakup empat tahap utama: sensasi, berupa nyeri, gatal, dan rasa malu; persepsi, di mana jerawat dianggap sebagai kekurangan yang memengaruhi interaksi sosial; memori, berupa pengaruh komentar negatif yang melekat dalam ingatan; dan berpikir, yaitu upaya mencari solusi dan menerima diri. Kelima informan berhasil meningkatkan kepercayaan diri melalui lima strategi: evaluasi diri objektif, penghargaan terhadap diri sendiri, berpikir positif, afirmasi diri, dan keberanian mengambil risiko. Temuan ini menegaskan bahwa komunikasi intrapersonal berperan penting dalam membangun kepercayaan diri remaja meskipun menghadapi tekanan sosial akibat kondisi kulit mereka.