EKSPLORASI PENGALAMAN LONELINESS PADA MAHASISWA EMERGING ADULT DALAM PERILAKU CLUBBING

Emerging adulthood represents a vulnerable transitional phase demanding social adaptation, during which college students frequently seek emotional diversion through clubbing activities. Although nightlife has become a popular urban lifestyle among youths, prior studies have predominantly focused on risky behaviors rather than addressing the inner dynamics of loneliness. This study aims to explore the lived experience of loneliness and its subjective meaning among emerging adult university students who engage in clubbing. A qualitative design utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted with six active undergraduate students aged 20–22 selected via purposive sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews and inductively examined using systematic IPA procedural steps. The results revealed four overarching themes: the dynamics of social connectedness, loneliness as an interpersonal gap, coping mechanisms, and clubbing as an interactive venue and temporary distraction. ABSTRAK Masa emerging adult merupakan fase transisi rentan yang menuntut adaptasi sosial, di mana mahasiswa sering kali mencari pengalihan emosional melalui aktivitas clubbing. Meskipun kegiatan hiburan malam telah menjadi bagian dari gaya hidup perkotaan generasi muda, kajian terdahulu cenderung membatasi fokus pada perilaku berisiko tanpa mendalami dinamika kesepian (loneliness). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi pengalaman loneliness serta pemaknaannya bagi mahasiswa emerging adult yang terlibat dalam perilaku clubbing. Pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) diterapkan terhadap enam mahasiswa aktif berusia 20–22 tahun yang dipilih melalui teknik purposive sampling. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara mendalam semi-terstruktur yang dianalisis secara induktif mengikuti tahapan IPA. Hasil penelitian mengidentifikasi empat tema utama, yaitu dinamika keterhubungan sosial, loneliness sebagai kesenjangan relasional, strategi menghadapi kesepian, serta clubbing sebagai ruang interaksi sekaligus distraksi sementara.