Exploring the Experiences of Final Year UIAD Sinjai Students in Managing Academic Stress Through Butterfly Hug Therapy

Abstract

This study is based on the phenomenon of increasing academic stress among final-year students at the Islamic University of Ahmad Dahlan (UIAD) Sinjai, particularly in facing the burden of final assignments, academic demands, and post-graduation anxiety. Unmanaged academic stress can reduce academic performance and affect students' mental health. This study aims to explore the experiences of final-year students at UIAD Sinjai in managing academic stress through Butterfly Hug Therapy, a simple technique from the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) approach. This study used a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. The research subjects consisted of six final-year students selected through a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observation, and documentation, and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results showed that Butterfly Hug Therapy helped students reduce emotional tension, increase self-awareness, and develop positive coping mechanisms for academic stress. This therapy has been proven effective in helping students achieve a more stable and productive psychological state in completing their studies.