COUNS-EDU: The International Journal of Counseling and Education
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026)

Effects of a Self-Regulation Counseling Intervention on Ego Depletion Among University Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Bambang Setiawan (Universitas Islam Negeri Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, Indonesia)
Jaja Suteja (Universitas Islam Negeri Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, Indonesia)
Herny Novianti (Universitas Islam Negeri Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, Indonesia)
Abdul Fikri (Universitas Islam Negeri Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
11 May 2026

Abstract

The transition to higher education places substantial self-regulatory demands on students, which may contribute to ego depletion. Although self-regulation interventions have been widely discussed, evidence regarding counseling-based approaches specifically designed to reduce ego depletion among university students remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of the Self-Regulation Counseling Approach (SRCA) on ego depletion among university students. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control-group design was used. From a population of 729 students, 30 participants were selected through systematic random sampling and allocated to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Ego depletion was assessed using a 58-item researcher-developed questionnaire. The instrument demonstrated acceptable content validity (CVI = 0.80), satisfactory item validity based on Pearson correlation analysis, and high internal consistency (Cronbach’s ? = 0.955). Posttest differences between groups were examined using analysis of covariance, with pretest scores included as a covariate. After adjustment for baseline scores, the experimental group showed a significantly greater reduction in ego depletion than the control group (p < 0.05). These findings provide preliminary evidence that SRCA may help reduce ego depletion among university students. However, the small sample size and quasi-experimental design limit the generalizability and causal interpretation of the results. Further studies with larger samples, stronger allocation procedures, and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm the intervention’s effects.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

counsedu

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences Other

Description

COUNS-EDU: The International Journal of Counseling and Education Electronic ISSN: 2548-3498 is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Indonesian Institute for Counseling, Education, and Therapy in Collaboration with the Indonesian Counselor Association. Established in 2016, this journal ...