LONELINESS AND SOCIAL INTERACTION AS PREDICTORS OF STRESS LEVEL IN UNEMPLOYED STUDENTS

Abstract

The background of this study focuses on the increasing psychological pressure experienced by students who do not yet have a job and their low level of social interaction. This study
uses quantitative and correlational methods. The research instrument consists of two scales: the social interaction scale consists of ten items with a reliability value of 0.891, and the
loneliness scale consists of ten items with a reliability value of 0.929. Data collected from unemployed students were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test and multiple linear regression using SPSS version 25. The results showed that not only was there a positive relationship between loneliness and stress, but there was also a negative relationship between social interaction and stress. Both factors had a significant effect on the stress levels
of unemployed students. The conclusion of this study indicates that the higher the level of loneliness felt, the higher the level of stress experienced, while the higher the level of social interaction, the lower the level of stress. These findings emphasize the importance of social interaction and social support in maintaining the psychological well-being of unemployed students.