Andragogy-Based Psychosocial Intervention and Funiculi Funicula Bibliotherapy to Strengthen the Meaning of Life Among Incarcerated Mothers at Class IIB Women's Prison Manado

Authors

  • Cynthia Maria Siwi Universitas Terbuka Manado
  • Ronald Jolly Pongantung Universitas Terbuka Manado
  • Dian Ratu Ayu Uswatun Khasanah Universitas Terbuka Manado

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59784/glosains.v7i3.776

Keywords:

Incarcerated Mothers, Meaning of Life, Andragogy, Funiculi Funicula, Stress Coping

Abstract

Background: Incarcerated mothers in Indonesia face severe psychological challenges, including loss of maternal identity, depression, and disrupted mother–child relationships during imprisonment. With 13,976 female inmates nationally and significant mental health needs, targeted psychosocial interventions are critically needed; however, they remain underrepresented in correctional rehabilitation programs.

Objective: The Strengthening Life Meaning of Parenting for Incarcerated Mothers Program at the Class IIB Women’s Correctional Facility in Manado aims to enhance the psychological well-being of incarcerated mothers through the application of andragogy principles and the Funiculi Funicula novel series as a stress-coping mechanism.

Methods: Activities were carried out using a group-based psychosocial development approach, including counseling, diary writing, creativity training, outbound experiential activities, and art exhibitions. The Funiculi Funicula novel series served as a medium for reflection and motivation, helping participants accept their past experiences and build renewed hope.

Results: This program was evaluated using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), showing an increase in mean “meaning in life” scores from 15.2 (slightly dissatisfied category) to 28.1 (satisfied category). As a result, participants experienced significant improvements in mental well-being, self-confidence, strengthening of the maternal role, and readiness for social reintegration.

Conclusion: This model is expected to become a relevant correctional intervention for incarcerated mothers and may be applicable to other women’s correctional facilities.

References

Aulia, Q., & Astriska, B. F. (2022). Self compassion dan gratitude sebagai prediktor loneliness narapidana perempuan di lapas perempuan kelas IIA Medan. Journal of Correctional Issues, 5(1), 33–46. https://doi.org/10.52472/jci.v5i1.109

Baker, B. (2021). Mothering and incarceration: A conceptual model supporting maternal identity. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 27(2), 103–110.

Chung, G., Lanier, P., & Wong, P. Y. J. (2022). Mediating effects of parental stress on harsh parenting and parent-child relationship during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Singapore. Journal of Family Violence, 37(5), 801–812. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-020-00200-1

Development, O. for E. C. and. (2021). Measuring what matters for child well-being and policies. OECD Publishing Paris, France.

Diener, E. D., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75.

Glavin, C. E. Y., & Montgomery, P. (2017). Creative bibliotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a systematic review. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 30(2), 95–107.

Gualano, M. R., Bert, F., Martorana, M., Voglino, G., Andriolo, V., Thomas, R., Gramaglia, C., Zeppegno, P., & Siliquini, R. (2017). The long-term effects of bibliotherapy in depression treatment: Systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Clinical Psychology Review, 58, 49–58.

Gualtieri, G., Ferretti, F., Masti, A., Pozza, A., & Coluccia, A. (2020). Post-traumatic stress disorder in prisoners’ offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health: CP & EMH, 16, 36.

Hadaro, T. S., & Tena, H. A. (2025). Maternal Psychological Well-Being. In Maternal and Child Health-A Holistic Approach to Equity, Nutrition, and Psychosocial Well-Being. IntechOpen.

Kapp, A. (1833). Platon’s Erziehungslehre.

Knowles, M. S. (1980). The modern practice of adult education: From pedagogy to andragogy (Vol. 2). Cambridge Adult Education Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. FT press.

Lewis, N., & Bryan, V. (2021). Andragogy and teaching techniques to enhance adult learners’ experience. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 11(11), 31–40.

Li, H., Liu, K., Fei, J., Yuan, T., & Mei, S. (2024). Association of early parent–child separation with depression, social and academic performance in adolescence and early adulthood: a prospective cohort study. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 18(1), 78.

Martela, F., & Steger, M. F. (2016). The three meanings of meaning in life: Distinguishing coherence, purpose, and significance. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 11(5), 531–545.

Mengesha, T., Bedaso, A., Berhanu, E., Yesuf, A., & Duko, B. (2023). Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among prisoners in Kaliti Federal Prison in Ethiopia: a facility based cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 13(1), e061547.

Milozzi, S. (2025). Systematic Review of the Impact of Parent-Child Separation on Children’s Mental Health and Development. Revista de Psicoterapia, 36(130), 5–17.

Stavytska, I. V, Kutsenok, N. M., Yamshynska, N. V, & Kriukova, Y. S. (2022). Principles of andragogy and new effective strategies for teaching master’s students. Педагогічні Науки: Теорія Та Практика, 1, 304–310.

Vanhooren, S., Leijssen, M., & Dezutter, J. (2017). Ten prisoners on a search for meaning: A qualitative study of loss and growth during incarceration. The Humanistic Psychologist, 45(2), 162.

Wang, W., & Ma, W. (2021). Construction of a meaning effectiveness model: A new interpretation of meaning in life. New Ideas in Psychology, 63, 100876.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-26