The Effectiveness of WhatsApp-Based Islamic Cyber Counseling in Improving Self-Disclosure and Mental Well-Being among Adolescents

Abstract

The rapid advancement of Society 5.0 has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in counseling services, with WhatsApp-based cyber counseling emerging as a promising approach to addressing adolescents’ mental health and self-disclosure challenges within Islamic educational settings. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of WhatsApp-based Islamic cyber counseling in enhancing adolescents’ self-disclosure through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, analyzing studies published between 2020 and 2026 from Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Garuda, and Sinta. The findings reveal that WhatsApp-based counseling reduces psychological barriers, increases communication accessibility, and promotes greater self-disclosure among adolescents. Furthermore, integrating Islamic counseling practices, including dhikr, tadabbur, and muhasabah, strengthens emotional regulation, resilience, and spiritual well-being. This study concludes that WhatsApp-based Islamic cyber counseling provides a holistic, culturally relevant, and effective counseling model for improving adolescents’ psychological well-being and self-disclosure in the Society 5.0 era while highlighting the need for further research on Islamic group cyber counseling.