Integrating Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) With Islamic Values in Reducing Adolescent Anxiety in the Digital Era

Abstract

In Indonesia, this situation is compounded by an internet penetration rate exceeding 70 percent of the population, with adolescents constituting one of its most active user groups. This study investigates the integration of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) with Islamic values as a psychological intervention model directed at alleviating anxiety among adolescents in the digital era. The unprecedented expansion of digital technology has introduced a variety of psychological burdens on young people, encompassing social media dependency, cyberbullying, and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Although conventional CBT has established considerable clinical credibility, scholars have increasingly noted that its secular underpinnings may not adequately account for the spiritual and cultural dimensions that are central to the identity of Muslim adolescents. Adopting a qualitative library research design, this study systematically synthesizes relevant primary and secondary sources to examine both the theoretical foundations and practical dimensions of the proposed integration. The findings reveal that combining CBT's cognitive restructuring techniques with Islamic constructs such as tawakal (reliance on God), dhikr (remembrance of God), and muhasabah (self-examination) synergistically enhances the emotional regulatory capacities of adolescents. Islamic values offer a spiritual bedrock that strengthens the efficacy of CBT's behavioral techniques in nurturing adaptive cognitive frameworks. The resulting integrative model not only advances theoretical discourse in the field of Islamic psychology but also furnishes practical guidance for counselors and educators tasked with addressing Muslim adolescent anxiety in a holistic and sustained manner.