The Effectiveness of Role-Playing Techniques Through Group Counseling in Enhancing Students’ Empathy

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of applying role-playing techniques through group counseling services to enhance empathy among eighth-grade students in Class VIII A at UPTD SMPN 16 Kupang during the 2025/2026 school year. This study is a quantitative study with a one-group pre-test and post-test design. The study population consisted of 28 students in Class VIII A, with a sample size of 6 students. The data collection tool used was an empathy questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a paired t-test. The results showed a significance value (2-tailed) of 0.000 < 0.05, so the null hypothesis (Ho) was rejected and the alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the role-playing technique through group counseling services is effective in enhancing empathy among eighth-grade students at UPTD SMPN 16 Kupang during the 2025/2026 academic year.