Spiritual Fortitude as a Mediator between Grit and Flourishing Among Adolescent Victims of Bullying

Abstract

Introduction Bullying in Indonesian schools remains a significant issue, affecting approximately 41% of students. Victims often experience severe psychological consequences, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, which hinder their ability to flourish. Flourishing refers to a state of well-being characterized by positive emotions, meaning, and strong relationships. Previous studies suggest that grit—defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals—can promote flourishing. However, grit alone may not fully explain well-being outcomes, indicating the need to explore additional psychological factors, such as spiritual fortitude. Methods This study employed a quantitative survey design with convenience sampling. A total of 1,215 Indonesian adolescents (aged 15–23) participated in this study, but only 1,140 had experienced bullying; therefore, only these 1,140 participants were included in the inferential statistical analysis. They completed validated instruments measuring grit, flourishing, and spiritual fortitude. Structural Equation Modeling (SmartPLS) was used to analyze mediation effects and test the study’s hypotheses. Results The findings supported all three hypotheses: (1) grit significantly predicts flourishing (β = 0.270, p < 0.001), (2) spiritual fortitude positively influences flourishing (β = 0.509, p < 0.001), and (3) spiritual fortitude mediates the relationship between grit and flourishing (β = 0.317, p < 0.001). The results indicate that while grit contributes to flourishing, spiritual fortitude enhances this relationship, providing additional psychological resilience. Furthermore, the direct predictive effect of grit on flourishing remained statistically significant even when spiritual fortitude was included as a mediator in the model. Discussion These results highlight that while grit contributes to adolescent flourishing, spiritual fortitude amplifies this effect by providing inner strength rooted in meaning and resilience. The findings emphasize the cultural relevance of spiritual resources in Indonesia and support the integration of spiritual development in psychological interventions. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of both perseverance and spiritual strength in helping adolescent victims of bullying achieve flourishing. Interventions aimed at fostering grit and spiritual fortitude could support adolescent mental health recovery. This study provides implications for educational and mental health policies to promote flourishing in trauma-affected populations.