Yogyakarta, July 17, 2025 – Bayu Soseno and Prof. Kwartarini Wahyu Yuniarti, M.Med.Sc., Ph.D., Psychologist, successfully published their research titled "Hypnosis for enhancing subjective well-being in ischemic heart diseases: a feasibility study" in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (2025), a reputable international journal indexed by Scopus (Q2), with a 2024 SJR of 0.388 and an Impact Factor (IF) of 1.3.

This study explores the effectiveness of Hypnotic Guided Imagery (HGI) as a non-pharmacological approach to enhance subjective well-being in patients with ischemic heart disease. By involving several patients as participants, the study found that the hypnosis intervention is not only safe and well-tolerated but also has the potential to reduce stress while improving calmness and quality of life. This scientific contribution aligns with Universitas Gadjah Mada’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the area of mental health and the development of evidence-based integrative therapies.

The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with TVRI Yogyakarta, presented the sixth episode of the program OPSI: Obrolan Psikologi (Psychological Talks), which aired on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM (WIB). This episode carried the theme "Beyond Nature, Beyond Network: Building Mental Resilience," highlighting the connection between nature-based activities and psychological endurance.

The theme was chosen in response to the rising pressures of modern life, which is fast-paced, highly competitive, and filled with demands. Amid the relentless digital world, reconnecting with nature offers a way to calm the mind and restore inner strength. Outdoor activities not only provide peace but also help sharpen one’s ability to face challenges with patience, calmness, and mindfulness.

The Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an online lecture (kulon) titled “Teening Your Parent: Embracing Differences, Cultivating Understanding” on Friday (July 4). The webinar, attended by students, university undergraduates, professionals, and educators, aimed to offer insights for teenagers on how to communicate effectively with their parents to avoid unnecessary conflict.

The first speaker, Nurul Kusuma H., M.Psi., Psychologist, presented an in-depth discussion on the psychological development of adolescents aged 10 to 16, and also explored differences in parenting styles between Generation X and Generation Y parents. These two topics served as a foundational framework for participants to understand perspectives from both sides—teenagers and their parents.

The Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) of the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) organized a Workshop on Clinical Interviewing and Diagnostic Tree over two days, July 10–11, 2025. The hybrid-format workshop was held both via Zoom and at the UGM Center for Environmental Studies building, and was attended by psychology professional program students, lecturers, psychologists, medical doctors, and psychiatrists.

The workshop aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of mental health professionals in clinical interviewing and accurate diagnosis of mental disorders. The Dean of the Faculty of Psychology UGM, Rahmat Hidayat, S.Psi., M.Sc., Ph.D., emphasized the importance of paying close attention to psychological issues and the need for professionals to carefully consider diagnoses in order to design effective interventions.

The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TVRI Yogyakarta on Thursday (July 10) at Room A-203, Faculty of Psychology UGM. The signing of the Cooperation Agreement (PKS) was conducted by the Dean of the Faculty of Psychology UGM, Rahmat Hidayat, S.Psi., M.Sc., Ph.D., and the Head of TVRI Yogyakarta Station, Budi Kurniawan, S.Sos.

This partnership marks a strategic collaboration between academia and public media to deliver educational broadcasting programs that are timely, relevant, and impactful for the lives of the Indonesian public.

"We are very grateful for and appreciate the opportunity given by TVRI Yogyakarta. At the Faculty of Psychology, we carry the responsibility not only to advance the discipline but also to transfer knowledge, skills, techniques, and methods developed in psychology to the wider community," said Dean Rahmat Hidayat.

Zahwa Islami’s interest in psychology didn’t emerge out of the blue. It began with a simple childhood habit of observing people around her, which led to a question that lingered in her mind: “What makes someone the way they are?” These seemingly simple questions gradually evolved into a deeper curiosity about humans and their relationships, eventually drawing her toward the study of psychology. read more

Yogyakarta, July 2, 2025 — Rigid bureaucratic culture has long been a challenge to fostering innovation in Indonesia’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). A recent study by a team of researchers from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) reveals that authentic leadership and psychological empowerment are critical drivers of innovation within SOEs in Indonesia.

Published in the high-impact international journal Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity (Scopus Q1, CiteScore 14.0), the study was authored by Indrayanti, Nida Ulfia, and Taufik Hidayat. The article, titled “From Bureaucracy to Innovation: How Authentic Leadership and Empowerment Drive Change in Indonesian State-Owned Enterprises,” argues that innovation is not just about structure—but about genuine leadership and empowered employees.

Haiyun Nisa, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psychologist, successfully earned her doctoral degree at the public defense of the Doctoral Program in Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), on Thursday (June 26). Her dissertation, titled “The Inner Voice of Plaintiffs: Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Psychological Empowerment in Women Initiating Divorce,” led Haiyun to become the 6,517th doctoral graduate from UGM.

The doctoral defense was held in Room A-203 at the Faculty of Psychology UGM, chaired by the Dean of the Faculty, Rahmat Hidayat, M.Sc., Ph.D., and attended by leading academic examiners. Serving as the main advisor (Promoter) was Prof. Drs. Koentjoro, MBSc., Ph.D., Psychologist, with Dr. Pradytia Putri Pertiwi, S.Psi., Ph.D. as Co-Promoter. Other examiners included Prof. Dr. Tina Afiatin, M.Si., Psychologist; Dr. Diana Setiyawati, MH.Sc.Psy., Ph.D., Psychologist; and external examiner Prof. Dr. Nurul Hartini, S.Psi., M.Kes., Psychologist from Universitas Airlangga’s Faculty of Psychology.

Yogyakarta, 25 June 2025 – A recent study titled “Lived experience in mental health research in Ghana and Indonesia: What have we learned?”, authored by a team including Hannan Legend Tizaa, .., [Diana Setiyawati, Wulan Nur Jatmika] et al., has been published in the journal PLOS Mental Health, Volume 2(6), e0000344.

This study explores the experiences of nine peer researchers who have firsthand experience with mental health conditions in Ghana and Indonesia. These peer researchers were involved throughout the entire research process—starting from the design stage, qualitative data collection, and participatory arts-based methods, through to analysis and dissemination.

The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through Prof. Dra. Kwartarini Wahyu Yuniarti, M.Med.Sc., Ph.D., Psikolog, has received a research grant from the Maharishi Global Raam Raj Foundation (YMGGR) to conduct a collaborative study on Transcendental Meditation (TM). This partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between both parties on June 23, 2025.

The research aims to examine the benefits and cultural compatibility of Transcendental Meditation within Indonesian school settings, with Yogyakarta as the initial research site. The project will also explore the potential of TM to support character development, well-being, and personal growth among young students.