<![CDATA[Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis coping mechanism yang digunakan oleh taruna sekolah kedinasan dalam menghadapi tuntutan akademik dan kedisiplinan semi-militer. Pola pendidikan di sekolah kedinasan menuntut kesiapan fisik, mental, dan emosional yang tinggi sehingga berpotensi menimbulkan stres jika tidak dikelola secara adaptif. Pendekatan penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara mendalam terhadap sepuluh taruna Politeknik Pengayoman Indonesia. Analisis data dilakukan dengan teknik analisis tematik melalui tiga tahap coding (open, axial, dan selective). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa taruna mengembangkan strategi coping yang bersifat adaptif dan dinamis dengan menggabungkan problem-focused coping dan emotion-focused coping. Tekanan akademik, fisik, sosial, dan tanggung jawab jabatan menjadi sumber stres utama yang dihadapi. Taruna cenderung melakukan reappraisal positif terhadap tekanan yang dialami, memandangnya sebagai tantangan untuk memperkuat karakter dan profesionalisme. Faktor-faktor seperti tanggung jawab, optimisme, dan kecerdasan emosional menjadi komponen penting yang memperkuat efektivitas coping. Temuan ini memperkuat teori Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) serta teori adaptive coping (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, 1989), dan menegaskan bahwa coping dalam konteks pendidikan semi-militer tidak hanya berfungsi sebagai respon terhadap stres, tetapi juga sebagai mekanisme pembentukan karakter dan ketahanan mental taruna. Coping Mechanisms of Cadets in Government Training Institutions in Facing Academic Demands and Semi-Military Discipline: a Qualitative Study Abstract This study aims to analyze the coping mechanisms used by cadets at civil service academies in facing academic demands and semi-military discipline. The educational model at civil service academies requires high physical, mental, and emotional readiness, which can potentially cause stress if not managed adaptively. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews with ten cadets from the Indonesian Civil Service Polytechnic. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis techniques through three stages of coding (open, axial, and selective). The results of the study show that cadets develop adaptive and dynamic coping strategies by combining problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. Academic, physical, social, and job responsibilities are the main sources of stress they face. Cadets tend to reappraise the pressures they experience positively, viewing them as challenges to overcome. The results of the study show that cadets develop adaptive and dynamic coping strategies by combining problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. Academic, physical, social, and job responsibilities are the main sources of stress they face. Cadets tend to reappraise the pressures they experience positively, viewing them as challenges to strengthen their character and professionalism. Factors such as responsibility, optimism, and emotional intelligence are important components that strengthen the effectiveness of coping. These findings reinforce the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) and adaptive coping theory (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, 1989), and confirm that coping in a semi-military educational context not only functions as a response to stress, but also as a mechanism for character building and mental resilience among cadets.]]>
