Emotional Awareness and Friendship in Relation to Problem-Solving Skills Among Muslim Students

Alif Muarifah (Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia)
Rohmatus Naini (Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia)
Diki Herdiansyah (Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia)
Bagus Gilang Pratama (Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Planning, Institut Teknologi Nasional Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Rizqullah Bayhaqil Hakim (Department of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia)

Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal

Adolescents’ social-emotional functioning is closely linked to how they manage academic and interpersonal demands in school settings. However, limited evidence exists on how emotional awareness and friendship quality are simultaneously associated with problem-solving skills among Muslim high school students. This study examines the associations among emotional awareness, friendship quality, and problem-solving skills in adolescents. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was employed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). A total of 186 high school students aged 15–18 years in Yogyakarta, Indonesia participated in the study. Emotional awareness-related regulation, friendship quality, and problem-solving skills were measured using validated self-report instruments. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted prior to SEM analysis using AMOS version 20. The findings indicated that emotional awareness and friendship quality were significantly associated with adolescents’ problem-solving skills. These findings suggest significant associations between emotional awareness, friendship quality, and problem-solving skills in adolescents. The results are based on cross-sectional data and should not be interpreted as causal relationships.