Cultural Resilience and Psychological Well-Being Among Migrant Santri

Adapting to a new cultural environment while preserving cultural identity remains a critical challenge for migrant youth in pesantren settings. This qualitative descriptive study examined how cultural resilience develops among non-Javanese migrant santri and how it relates to their psychological well-being, deriving implications for multicultural counseling services. Data were collected through semi-structured group and individual interviews, participant observation, and documentation involving 11 non-Javanese migrant santri (aged 13–15) at SMP Dharma Lestari and Agro Nuur El Falah Pesantren, Salatiga, analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis identified four core interconnected themes: (1) culture shock as an initial adjustment phase marked by language barriers and homesickness; (2) cultural identity and social support as foundational adaptive assets; (3) coping strategies ranging from adaptive problem-focused strategies to avoidance coping; and (4) cultural resilience as a dynamic process directly enhancing psychological well-being. The findings reveal that cultural resilience develops through the interaction of cultural identity, peer support, adaptive coping, emotional regulation, and positive meaning-making, directly fostering self-acceptance, autonomy, and educational purpose. However, trajectories varied, as santri relying on persistent avoidance coping experienced slower adaptation. These findings highlight cultural resilience as a dynamic resource rather than a fixed trait, underscoring the need for structured, three-tiered multicultural counseling services (individual check-ins, peer mentoring, and institutional cultural affirmation) in pesantren.