Dangdut Music Therapy Reduces Work Stress in Social Workers: Terapi Musik Dangdut Mengurangi Stres Kerja pada Pekerja Sosial

Novita Ramadhaniaty (Program Studi Psikologi, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo)
Zaki Nur Fahmawati (Program Studi Psikologi, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo)
Ghozali Rusyid Affandi (Program Studi Psikologi, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo)

Academia Open
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025): December

General Background: Work stress is a significant psychological concern within occupational settings, particularly in high-demand human service professions where employees face emotional and physical strain. Specific Background: Social workers at Liponsos experience considerable workload pressures that may lead to elevated stress levels, necessitating practical psychological interventions such as music therapy. Previous studies have suggested that music-based interventions are associated with stress reduction, yet contextual evidence within Indonesian social service institutions remains limited. Knowledge Gap: Empirical data examining dangdut music therapy as an intervention for work stress among social workers in Liponsos settings are scarce, especially using controlled experimental designs. Aims: This study aimed to examine whether dangdut music therapy reduces work stress among social workers at Liponsos. Results: Using a Randomized Control Trial design with pretest and posttest measures, findings indicated a significant decrease in work stress scores in the experimental group receiving dangdut music therapy, while the control group did not demonstrate comparable reduction. Statistical analysis using Paired Sample T-Test and Independent Sample T-Test confirmed significant differences before and after intervention. Novelty: This study provides empirical evidence on the application of dangdut music therapy within a social service institutional context using a controlled experimental approach. Implications: The findings suggest that culturally relevant music therapy may serve as a practical psychological intervention for managing occupational stress among social workers. Highlights: The Intervention Group Demonstrated Significant Score Decreases After Treatment. Statistical Testing Confirmed Differences Between Pretest and Posttest Measurements. Participants Without Treatment Did Not Show Comparable Changes. Keywords: Work Stress, Dangdut Music Therapy, Social Workers, Randomized Control Trial, Occupational Psychology