<![CDATA[Religious conversion in multicultural urban societies is not only a matter of theological change but also a personal search for meaning and the restoration of subjective well-being. Theresearch aimedto analyze how religious conversion functions as a psychological adaptive strategy in responding to crises of meaning and the demands of urban modernity. Using a qualitativephenomenological approach, this research exploredhow these converts experienced religious conversion and how the process relates to changes in their subjective well-being. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews that examined their life experiences before and after conversion, their search for meaning, social relationships, and perceived emotional changes. The data were analyzed using interpretive thematic analysis informed by theories of subjective well-being, psychological well-being, religious coping, and religious conversion. The findings showedthat before conversion, participants experienced inner anxiety, a sense of meaninglessness, and emotional imbalance. Conversion to Islam was perceived as an adaptive response to existential crisis, leading to greater inner peace, life satisfaction, and clarity of purpose. Local Dayak and Banjar cultural values acted as cultural bridges that allowed the integration of Islam without severing cultural identity. In the post-conversion phase, support from the Muslim community, particularly through the Indonesian Convert Center, played a significant role in restoring and stabilizing the participants’ subjective well-being. These findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive, inclusive, and psychologically oriented assistance for converts in urban multicultural contexts.]]>
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