Exploring the Meaning of Spirituality in Islamic Guidance and Counseling for Enhancing Students’ Subjective Well-Being

A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This study aims to explore the meaning of spirituality within the process of Islamic guidance and counseling in enhancing students’ subjective well-being. Employing a qualitative approach with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), this research involved ten students from Sunan Drajat University who had participated in Islamic counseling activities. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed systematically following IPA procedures. The findings reveal four superordinate themes: (1) spirituality as a source of inner peace, (2) relationship with Allah as the foundation of well-being, (3) Islamic counseling as a reflective and transformative space, and (4) spirituality as a pathway to meaningful life satisfaction. These findings indicate that spirituality plays a central role in shaping students’ subjective well-being through emotional regulation, transcendental connection, and meaning-making processes. This study contributes to the development of Islamic guidance and counseling by providing a deeper understanding of students’ lived experiences, moving beyond dominant quantitative approaches. It highlights the importance of integrating spirituality into counseling practices to promote holistic well-being among students. The findings offer both theoretical and practical implications for developing spiritually integrated counseling models in Islamic higher education contexts.