Dimensions of Emotional Exhaustion among Adolescents Experiencing Family Conflict
Keywords:
Emotional exhaustion, family conflict, adolescents, qualitative research, Indonesia, emotional regulation, coping strategiesAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore and identify the core dimensions of emotional exhaustion among adolescents experiencing family conflict in Indonesia.
Methods and Materials: This qualitative study employed an exploratory design to examine the lived experiences of adolescents exposed to recurrent family conflicts. Using a purposive sampling approach, 22 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years (12 females and 10 males) from various urban and semi-urban regions in Indonesia participated in the research. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted in Bahasa Indonesia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo 14 software. Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s six-step approach, was applied to identify core themes and subthemes. Theoretical saturation determined the final sample size. Rigor and credibility were ensured through member checking, peer debriefing, and an external audit of the coding framework.
Findings: Data analysis revealed four overarching themes: (1) Emotional Drain from Family Tension, (2) Inner Conflict and Self-Blame, (3) Coping and Emotional Regulation Strategies, and (4) Social and Academic Consequences. Adolescents described chronic fatigue, helplessness, and emotional numbness resulting from prolonged family disputes. Feelings of guilt, shame, and internalized responsibility for family discord intensified emotional exhaustion. Coping strategies ranged from avoidance and spiritual reliance to creative expression and reframing. However, ineffective regulation often perpetuated distress. Emotional exhaustion further extended into diminished academic engagement, social withdrawal, and a strong yearning for family harmony. The findings collectively highlight emotional exhaustion as a relational, systemic, and culturally embedded process.
Conclusion: Emotional exhaustion among adolescents experiencing family conflict emerges as a multidimensional phenomenon rooted in persistent relational strain, internalized guilt, and limited emotional regulation resources. Strengthening family communication, emotional literacy, and support systems can mitigate exhaustion and promote adolescent emotional resilience.
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