Online Discussion as a Supportive Space for Single Adults: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Singles in Indonesia face persistent social stigma and marital pressure that can undermine their psychological well-being, yet targeted interventions to support this population remain scarce. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured online discussion intervention in increasing resilience among single adults in Indonesia. A one-group pre-test-post-test experimental design was employed. Fourteen unmarried participants who were not currently in a romantic relationship took part in two online discussion sessions conducted via Zoom. Resilience was measured before and after the intervention using the nine-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC; α=0.837). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in resilience following the intervention (Z = −2.132, p = .035), with mean scores rising from 33.71 (SD=5.25) at pre-test to 36.14 (SD=4.56) at post-test, and a large effect size (r=.67). Participants reported feeling less isolated through peer support and gained a broader awareness of diverse social values, both of which appeared to facilitate resilience gains. These findings extend the evidence base for internet-based resilience interventions to a previously underserved population and suggest that online discussion formats offer an accessible approach to support the psychological well-being of singles facing social stigma. Future research should replicate these findings using larger sample sizes and randomized controlled designs.