Sociology of the Crisis of Self-Confidence of Muslim Adolescents in Islamic Religious Education Learning at SMP Ma'arif NU 1 Purwokerto: A Phenomenological Study of Emotions, Body, and Identity

Abstract

This research begins with the phenomenon of the loss of self-confidence experienced by Muslim adolescents studying Islamic Religious Education (PAI) at SMP Ma'arif NU 1 Purwokerto. The vulnerable period of adolescence often gives rise to psychological challenges that result in students' low engagement in religious activities. The purpose of this study is to describe classroom practices, social relationships between educational actors, and the pedagogical impact on the formation of students' religious identities. Using a phenomenological approach, data were collected through non-participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. The results reveal three main findings: First, students experience symptoms of learning anxiety—characterized by shame, fear of making mistakes, and a lack of confidence when reading the Quran or praying—which is exacerbated by authoritarian interactions and environmental stressors. Second, PAI teachers serve as key figures providing moral and emotional support through collaborative methods with guidance counselors and parents to mitigate the digital identity crisis stemming from social media exposure. Third, puberty experiences, peer pressure, and religious identity formation are intricately interrelated in influencing students' self-confidence. This article contributes to the sociology of Islamic education by emphasizing that self-confidence in Muslim adolescents is a complex social process directly linked to physical transformations, emotional regulation, and the search for identity.