Empathetic preaching and psychological well-being in early adulthood: A phenomenological study of values, communication styles, and spiritual impact

Abstract

Background: In the digital era, changes in preaching patterns demand approaches that are more emotionally sensitive and adaptive to young adult audiences. Psychological well-being is a critical concern during early adulthood, a phase of identity exploration and heightened vulnerability. Despite growing interest in empathetic communication and religiosity, no prior study has integrated the examination of empathetic preaching values, preacher communication styles, and their combined psychological impact within a single phenomenological framework. This study aims to explore how young adults interpret empathetic preaching, identify the communication characteristics perceived as empathetic, and examine how such preaching influences their psychological well-being. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed. Five young adults (aged 18–25) at Universitas Islam 45 Bekasi were selected through purposive sampling based on low scores on the Psychological Well-Being (PWB) scale and the Religious Commitment Inventory–10 (RCI–10). Data were collected via open-ended questionnaires and psychological scales administered to 26 initial respondents. Findings: Four core themes emerged: (1) emotional acceptance through non-judgmental communication; (2) gentle and inclusive language as markers of empathy; (3) content relevance to daily psychological realities; and (4) positive contributions to self-acceptance, sense of meaning, and interpersonal relationships. Participant narratives confirmed that empathetic preaching functions as positive religious coping, reducing stress and reinforcing inner resilience. Conclusion: Empathetic preaching functions not merely as a means of religious transmission, but as a humanistic and transformative process supporting mental and spiritual health. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study offers an integrated examination of values, communication style, and psychological well-being within the lived experience of digital-era empathetic preaching, a framework largely absent from existing Indonesian Islamic psychological research.