THE USE OF SHORT STORIES AS A BIBLIOTHERAPY MEDIA IN IMPROVING SELF-CONFIDENCE OF CHILD VICTIMS OF BULLYING: A LITERARY PSYCHOLOGY STUDY

Abstract

This study examines the potential of utilizing short stories as a bibliotherapy in increasing the self-confidence of child victims of bullying. Bullying is a social problem that has a negative impact on children's psychology, including decreased self-confidence, anxiety, and other emotional disorders. Through short stories children can identify the characters in the story, gain new insights, and experience emotional release through the cathartic effect. This research used descriptive qualitative with literary psychology approach. Data were collected through a literature study of relevant children's short stories. The data in this study are quotes in short stories that refer to therapeutic values ​​that can help children who are victims of bullying understand themselves, manage their emotions, and rebuild their self-confidence. The results of the study showed that Clara Ng's short stories "A Million Colors of the Rainbow" and "Sharing Stories, Sharing Love" contain values ​​of friendship, empathy, self-acceptance, courage, and problem solving that can help children who are victims of bullying identify and name their feelings and are able to process emotional trauma, develop adaptive strategies to deal with the impact of bullying.