Understanding psychological well-being of alpha generation

The psychological well-being of Alpha Generation, the first cohort to grow up entirely in the digital era, is an emerging area of study in developmental and psychological sciences. Although quantitative studies on adolescent well-being are increasing, there remains limited qualitative research that delves into the everyday school experiences of Alpha Generation. Understanding the problems for the Alpha Generation can be done by identifying the problems using the Problem Checklist (DCM) carried out by Guidance and Counseling teachers at school. This study aims to describe the dimensions that exist in the psychological well-being of Alpha Generation, in this case junior high school students, so that they can determine the conditions of psychological well-being experienced. This study uses a qualitative research method with purposive sampling and involved total of 15 subjects in one of private junior high school in Surabaya, Indonesia. Data were collected through semistructured in-depth interviews. The results of the study show that the personal growth dimension is the most prominent, while the purpose in life dimension remains not yet developed. The conclusion of this study is that the dimension of psychological well-being must always be a concern so that Alpha Generation has a healthy mentality. Findings contribute original qualitative insights into Alpha students’ mental health in Surabaya, Indonesia and recommend that schools and parents implement digital literacy programs, peer-support initiatives, and purposeful activity planning to bolster well-being. The results of this study are expected to provide additional knowledge or references regarding the importance of psychological well-being in the Alpha Generation and can be used as evaluation material for schools and parents to always support various things that can improve their psychological well-being. As the first qualitative investigation of Alpha Generation's psychological well-being in the local context, this study offers foundational evidence for policymakers and educators to design targeted interventions. There are few studies that explore the study of psychological well-being for the Alpha Generation. While studies on psychological well-being are mostly conducted quantitatively, examining it with qualitative methods can provide unique insights.