Journaling techniques as a self-therapy process: Building self-acceptance in adolescent girls

Abstract

This study examines how journaling can function as a self-therapy method to increase self-acceptance among adolescents through writing. Adolescence is characterized by a desire to conform to social norms, where individuals strive for acceptance by others, often accompanied by a search for identity, physical changes, and social pressures that impact self-acceptance. The research method used in writing this article is a literature review, which is a scientific study focused on a specific topic. Journaling techniques, which focus on reflective writing about experiences and emotions, have been shown to be effective in helping individuals manage feelings, including the process of overall self-acceptance. Through this literature review, this study compiled various studies that assessed the effectiveness of journaling in the context of self-therapy. The results indicate that journaling can help adolescents cope with negative emotions, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and create space for positive thinking that supports self-acceptance. The results of this study demonstrate that journaling is not simply a writing technique but also a therapeutic strategy that plays a vital role in improving adolescent mental well-being by strengthening self-acceptance as a foundation for healthy emotional development