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Abstract
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the psychological dynamics of the wounded inner child among emerging adults who experienced childhood trauma resulting from family dysfunction and negative interpersonal experiences. A qualitative case study design with thematic analysis was employed. The participants consisted of five emerging adults aged 22–23 years, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using personal narrative documents and reflective notes, and subsequently analyzed using Miles and Huberman's interactive thematic analysis model. The findings revealed that the dynamics of the wounded inner child were shaped by two primary sources: family dysfunction (divorce, fatherlessness, emotional neglect, and abusive parenting) and interpersonal trauma (body shaming, social exclusion, and lack of emotional validation). These traumatic experiences contributed to maladaptive psychological manifestations in emerging adulthood, including low self-esteem, social anxiety, trust issues, and hyper-independence. On the other hand, the study found that self-reflection, cognitive reframing, and social support played significant roles in fostering resilience and facilitating the healing process of childhood emotional wounds. This study contributes to the development of developmental psychology and guidance and counseling by providing a deeper understanding of the formation and recovery processes of the wounded inner child.
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References
- Adler, R. H. (2022). Trustworthiness in qualitative research: Ethical and methodological considerations. New York: Routledge.
- Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. New York: Basic Books.
- Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., Bywaters, D., & Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: Complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206
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- Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2020). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
- Neff, K. D. (2023). Self-compassion: The proven power of being kind to yourself (Updated ed.). New York: William Morrow.
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- Poerwandari, E. K. (2021). Pendekatan kualitatif untuk penelitian perilaku manusia (Edisi ke-6). Depok: LPSP3 Universitas Indonesia.
- Putri, E. I. E., Damayanti, A., & Andriani, V. W. (2022). Gaya pengasuhan orang tua untuk kesehatan inner child anak. International Journal of Educational Resources, 3(4), 377–387.
- Ritiau, H. D. P., & Anggara, O. F. (2025). Dampak fatherless terhadap self-esteem dan social anxiety pada wanita dewasa awal. Liberosis: Jurnal Psikologi dan Bimbingan Konseling, 16(1), 71–80.
- Sperling, D. (2022). Ethics in qualitative research. Cham: Springer.
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References
Adler, R. H. (2022). Trustworthiness in qualitative research: Ethical and methodological considerations. New York: Routledge.
Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. New York: Basic Books.
Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., Bywaters, D., & Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: Complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206
Farina, B., & Schimmenti, A. (2025). The psychopathological domains of attachment trauma: A proposal for a clinical conceptualization. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 22(5), 351–373.
Humairah, N., & Komalasari, G. (2024). Pengaruh pengalaman masa kecil terhadap kesehatan mental dan relasi interpersonal pada dewasa awal. Jurnal Psikologi Indonesia, 13(2), 125–138.
Kinitz, D. J. (2022). Trustworthiness in qualitative research: Practical strategies for credibility and dependability. Qualitative Health Research, 32(10), 1568–1579.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2020). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Neff, K. D. (2023). Self-compassion: The proven power of being kind to yourself (Updated ed.). New York: William Morrow.
Nuraeni, F., & Lubis, M. (2022). Peran refleksi diri dalam membangun resiliensi pada dewasa awal. Jurnal Psikologi Pendidikan dan Konseling, 8(2), 132–142.
Pino Gavidia, L. A., & Adu, P. (2022). The novice qualitative researcher’s guide to using online data collection. New York: Routledge.
Poerwandari, E. K. (2021). Pendekatan kualitatif untuk penelitian perilaku manusia (Edisi ke-6). Depok: LPSP3 Universitas Indonesia.
Putri, E. I. E., Damayanti, A., & Andriani, V. W. (2022). Gaya pengasuhan orang tua untuk kesehatan inner child anak. International Journal of Educational Resources, 3(4), 377–387.
Ritiau, H. D. P., & Anggara, O. F. (2025). Dampak fatherless terhadap self-esteem dan social anxiety pada wanita dewasa awal. Liberosis: Jurnal Psikologi dan Bimbingan Konseling, 16(1), 71–80.
Sperling, D. (2022). Ethics in qualitative research. Cham: Springer.
Tedeschi, R. G., Shakespeare-Finch, J., Taku, K., & Calhoun, L. G. (2018). Posttraumatic growth: Theory, research, and applications. New York: Routledge.
Williams, K. D. (2007). Ostracism. Annual Review of Psychology, 58, 425–452. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085641