<![CDATA[Emotional maturity and social interaction are important aspects of the personal and social development of junior high school students in early adolescence. In the context of guidance and counselling, these two aspects need attention because they are related to students’ ability to adapt, build healthy relationships, and manage emotional responses adaptively. However, empirical evidence regarding the relationship between social interaction and emotional maturity among junior high school students as a basis for strengthening personal-social guidance and counselling services remains limited. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between social interaction and emotional maturity among junior high school students. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional correlational design. The participants included all 134 eighth-grade students of SMPN 1 Pakis using a total sampling technique. Data were collected using a 4-point Likert scale, namely a social interaction scale and an emotional maturity scale, both of which were adapted instruments used with permission from the original developers. The reliability coefficients showed Cronbach’s alpha values of .936 for the social interaction scale and .931 for the emotional maturity scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, normality tests, linearity tests, and Pearson’s Product-Moment correlation. The results showed a positive and significant relationship between social interaction and emotional maturity, with r = .638, p < .001. These findings indicate that better social interaction is associated with higher emotional maturity. However, the findings are correlational and do not imply causation. Generalisation of the findings is limited to students with characteristics similar to those of SMPN 1 Pakis.]]>
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