<![CDATA[Romantic breakups can become emotionally stressful experiences for university students and may affect sadness, anxiety, motivation, concentration, sleep patterns, and academic engagement. This study aimed to describe students’ experiences of stress following romantic breakups and to analyze the use of songs as a coping medium. The study employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological method. Six students of the State Christian Institute of Kupang were selected purposively. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation and analyzed through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that romantic breakups affected participants emotionally, physiologically, and academically. Participants used songs to express emotions, calm their minds, reduce anxiety and bodily tension, support sleep, shift attention away from negative thoughts, and develop acceptance, hope, motivation, and self-confidence. The songs selected included popular songs, nostalgic songs, and Christian worship songs. The central finding is that the role of songs operated through three interconnected processes: emotional and mood regulation, reduction of physiological stress responses, and improvement of cognitive regulation and psychological well-being. Songs can therefore be understood as a supportive non-pharmacological coping strategy for students recovering from romantic breakups and as a potential complementary medium in pastoral counseling.]]>
