<![CDATA[Fatherlessness refers to the prolonged absence of a father without providing communication or information, which may affect the psychological well-being of university students during early adulthood. This study aims to analyze the impact of fatherlessness on the psychological well-being of students at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU). This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, involving one key informant, five primary informants who were FISIP USU students experiencing fatherlessness, and three additional informants consisting of family members and close friends. The findings indicate that fatherlessness affects students' psychological well-being in terms of self-acceptance, positive relationships with others, personal growth, purpose in life, environmental mastery, and autonomy. These impacts are reflected in low self-esteem and self-confidence, difficulties in making decisions, uncertainty in determining life direction, challenges in building social relationships, and social anxiety. However, some students are able to develop themselves and achieve self-acceptance through support from family, peers, and their social environment. These findings indicate that paternal absence affects the psychological well-being of university students; therefore, social support and attention to the psychological needs of students with experiences of fatherlessness need to be strengthened.]]>
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