Knowing On-self, Making Sense of Relationships: Self-Reflection as an Intervention in Shaping Romantic Beliefs and Marriage Expectations among Early Adult Women

Pradiptya Septyanti Putri; Astri Firdasannah; Cahyaning Widhyastuti; Nida Muthi Annisa; Hamzah Zuyyina Rahmat; Iklima Valda Setiadi Ramadhan; Raisa Salsabila Ghaisani

doi:10.37278/jipsi.v8i1.1555

Authors

Pradiptya Septyanti Putri Psikologi, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia
Astri Firdasannah Psikologi, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia
Cahyaning Widhyastuti Psikologi, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia
Nida Muthi Annisa Psikologi, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia
Hamzah Zuyyina Rahmat Psikologi, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia
Iklima Valda Setiadi Ramadhan Psikologi, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia
Raisa Salsabila Ghaisani Psikologi, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37278/jipsi.v8i1.1555

Keywords:

Self-Reflection, Romantic Beliefs, Marriage Expectation, Early Adulthood, Intervention

Abstract

Changes in modern social dynamics have led many early adult women to experience ambivalence toward marriage, shaped by unrealistic romantic beliefs and idealized marriage expectations. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a self-reflection intervention in reshaping romantic beliefs and marriage expectations among early adult women. A quantitative experimental approach with a one group pretest-posttest design was employed. Participants consisted of 11 individuals aged 20–25 years who had never been married, recruited through purposive sampling. The Romantic Beliefs Scale (RBS) developed by Sprecher and Metts (1989) and the Marriage Expectation Scale (MES) developed by Jones and Nelson (1997) were used as measurement instruments, both of which were adapted into Indonesian. The self-reflection intervention was delivered through structured sessions covering the introduction of self-reflection concepts, reflection on romantic beliefs, reflection on marriage expectations, and integration of perspectives. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-tests after normality assumptions were confirmed. Results showed a significant change in romantic beliefs (p = 0.000) and marriage expectations (p = 0.001) following the intervention. These findings indicate that the self-reflection is effective as a psychological intervention in forming more realistic and adaptive romantic beliefs and marriage expectations in early adult women. These results have practical implications for the development of premarital psychoeducation programs aimed at fostering psychological readiness and relational health among young adults.

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