Program Intervensi Untuk Meningkatkan Sense of Belonging Anak Tanah Ombak (SOBAT) Melalui Penerapan Games Cooperative

Abstract

This study aimed to enhance the sense of belonging among children who are members of the Tanah Ombak Reading Community in Padang City. A needs assessment conducted through observation and interviews revealed that members' involvement and engagement in community activities were not yet optimal, as indicated by limited social interaction, inconsistent participation, and excessive use of mobile devices during activities. These findings suggest a low level of community attachment among the children, highlighting the need for a structured intervention program. This study employed a non-clinical psychological intervention method using a one-group pretest-posttest design, involving six participants who completed all program sessions. The SOBAT (Sense of Belonging Anak Tanah Ombak) program was implemented across three sessions: Passing Circle Talk (reflective group discussion), Cooperative Games (collaboration-based group activities), and Free Expression Art (self-expression through drawing). Data were collected using a sense of belonging scale developed based on Baumeister and Leary's (1995) theory, encompassing aspects of positive interaction and perception of stable bonding, supplemented by observational data throughout the intervention. Results indicated an increase in the mean sense of belonging score from 35.17 at pretest to 37.50 at posttest, accompanied by a decrease in standard deviation suggesting more consistent and positive responses among participants. Observational findings further supported these results, showing increased active participation, warmer social interactions, and greater openness among community members. These findings suggest that the SOBAT program has strong potential as an effective non-clinical intervention to strengthen children's sense of belonging within a literacy community setting.