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

1. INTRODUCTION

Bullying among Indonesian adolescents remains a serious and persistent problem despite the existence of multiple national laws and child protection policies. As Wuryaningsih et al. [1] pointed out, implementation gaps and low awareness across schools and communities contribute to the continuation of bullying behaviors. Cultural and social factors, particularly in collectivist societies like Indonesia, can normalize bullying behaviors as part of maintaining group conformity and social control. Peer pressure and hierarchical norms, as noted by Supriyadi and Sudrajat [2], often reinforce these actions by discouraging individual resistance. Studies by Hidayati and Amalia [3] and Gusti Ngurah Edi Putra et al. [4] found that bullying in adolescence is strongly linked to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation, highlighting the severity of its psychological toll. Over time, this can lead to diminished self-esteem and even chronic mental health conditions if not properly addressed [5]. Mental health problems are often indicators of underlying issues with psychological well-being, which in turn signal challenges in flourishing.

In this study, bullying is defined in a broad and retrospective manner, encompassing various forms of victimization that may have occurred in the past. As described by Olweus [6], bullying typically involves repetitive and intentional aggression across various forms. Sigurdson et al. [7] further emphasize that even bullying reported retrospectively can predict long-term mental health difficulties into adulthood. Such lingering effects can significantly hinder psychological development and, more specifically, an individual’s ability to achieve a state of flourishing. Therefore, understanding how past bullying experiences relate to current flourishing is crucial for addressing long-term mental health outcomes.

Flourishing is not merely the absence of mental illness but rather a state of thriving where individuals experience positive emotions, meaning, engagement, and strong relationships. According to research by Huppert and So [8], flourishing encompasses high levels of well-being, involving both feeling good and functioning effectively in life. This concept is crucial because when psychological well-being is compromised, it affects an individual's ability to flourish, leading to issues such as decreased life satisfaction and impaired functioning [9, 10]. Moreover, flourishing includes eudaimonic elements, such as meaning and purpose, which are critical for long-term mental health. If these aspects are hindered, they can manifest in mental health disorders, affecting one's ability to maintain healthy social relationships and life satisfaction [11].

Adolescent victims of bullying often face significant disruptions in their psychological well-being, making it difficult for them to achieve a flourishing state. Flourishing, which involves a balance of positive emotions, meaningful engagement, and strong social connections, can be severely affected by the trauma associated with bullying. According to Hong et al. [12] and Rey et al. [13], adolescent bullying victims show increased levels of emotional distress across multiple countries, reinforcing its global psychological burden. Moreover, the negative mental health outcomes often include social withdrawal and lower life satisfaction, which are critical components of flourishing [14]. The relationship between flourishing and mental health in these adolescents is complex, as those with low levels of flourishing are more vulnerable to mental health disorders and suicidal behavior. Guo et al. [14] and Oh et al. [15] suggest that targeted interventions—such as building emotional regulation and supportive environments—can buffer against the negative impacts of bullying on flourishing and mental health.

Grit, according to Duckworth et al. [16], is characterized by persistence and passion for long-term goals, and can be seen by researchers as a promising solution for improving flourishing among adolescent victims of bullying in Indonesia. Adolescents who develop grit are better equipped to handle the psychological challenges posed by bullying, as it helps them stay committed to overcoming adversity. Research has shown that individuals with higher levels of grit demonstrate better resilience, which supports their emotional recovery from traumatic experiences like bullying [17, 18]. This ability to maintain focus on long-term goals, even in the face of stress, enables bullying victims to regain a sense of control and improve their mental well-being [19]. Additionally, grit has been linked to positive mental health outcomes such as reduced anxiety and depression, key factors in achieving a flourishing state. When adolescents apply grit, they are more likely to engage in healthy coping mechanisms, promoting their resilience and helping them rebuild self-esteem and social connections [20]. These improvements contribute to long-term psychological flourishing, even after the negative experiences of bullying.

According to Duckworth et al. [16], grit consists of two core dimensions: consistency of interest and perseverance of effort. Consistency of interest refers to the ability to maintain long-term focus and sustained passion toward one’s goals, even when external rewards or immediate changes are lacking. Individuals with high consistency are less likely to change directions frequently and tend to stay committed to what they care about. Perseverance of effort, on the other hand, refers to the tendency to work hard and persist in the face of setbacks, obstacles, or failure. It reflects an individual’s determination to continue striving despite adversity. While both dimensions play a vital role in promoting psychological resilience, grit as a whole may not be sufficient on its own to fully foster flourishing. Other psychological strengths may be required to complement grit and deepen its impact, particularly in the context of trauma recovery.

Although grit is often seen as a strong predictor of flourishing, its role remains somewhat unclear. Research suggests that grit—defined as perseverance and passion for long-term goals—does not always guarantee flourishing, as other factors may influence the outcome. For instance, grit alone may not fully explain well-being, as emotional regulation and other mediators can also play critical roles in shaping psychological outcomes [21, 22]. One potential mediator to consider is spiritual fortitude, which involves the ability to endure adversity through inner strength and spiritual beliefs. Studies indicate that spiritual fortitude may provide the emotional and mental resilience needed to transform challenging experiences into growth, thus supporting flourishing [21, 23]. By combining grit with spiritual fortitude, individuals could develop a more holistic approach to overcoming adversities such as bullying, fostering both perseverance and deeper emotional resilience [23, 24].

Spiritual fortitude, which refers to the strength derived from spiritual beliefs and practices, plays a significant role in personal resilience [25], particularly within Indonesia's cultural and religious context. Indonesia's predominantly Muslim population, alongside communities of other faiths, often draws upon spiritual resources to cope with life's challenges. For adolescents facing adversity such as bullying, spiritual fortitude can serve as a crucial buffer, offering them inner strength to overcome psychological distress. This fortitude is rooted in religious teachings that promote patience, perseverance, and reliance on a higher power, making it relevant for fostering resilience across different religious groups in Indonesia [26, 27].

While emotional regulation and perceived social support are commonly studied mediators in the flourishing process, spiritual fortitude was prioritized in this study due to its growing empirical support in contexts involving existential adversity. Spiritual fortitude offers a unique resilience pathway that is particularly relevant in cultural settings where spiritual beliefs are deeply embedded, such as Indonesia [25, 28]. Unlike emotional regulation, which focuses on cognitive coping, or social support, which relies on external resources, spiritual fortitude emphasizes internal, meaning-driven endurance—making it especially significant for adolescents facing chronic adversity like bullying.

According to the previous research and phenomena in Indonesia regarding bullying, the objective of this study is to investigate the role of spiritual fortitude as a mediator of grit influence on flourishing among Indonesian adolescents, particularly in dealing with challenges such as bullying. It aims to explore how spiritual fortitude strengthens the relationship between grit and flourishing. Furthermore, the study seeks to identify the practical implications of spiritual fortitude for educational policy and mental health interventions in Indonesia, providing better support for adolescents in overcoming psychological issues.

This study contributes to the existing literature in several ways. Conceptually, it introduces spiritual fortitude as a mediator in a context of bullying, extending prior models of psychological resilience. Methodologically, it employs a robust SEM approach using SmartPLS with a large, diverse sample of Indonesian adolescents. Culturally, the study addresses a gap by highlighting the role of spiritual strength in a non-Western context, thereby offering new insights for culturally sensitive mental health interventions.

The hypotheses in this research are as follows:

• H1: Grit is proven to significantly predict flourishing in adolescent victims of bullying in Indonesia.
• H2: Spiritual fortitude is proven to significantly predict flourishing in adolescent victims of bullying in Indonesia.
• H3: Spiritual fortitude can act as a mediator in the influence of grit on flourishing in adolescent victims of bullying in Indonesia.

2. METHOD

This study employed a quantitative approach, utilizing a survey research design that included a rating scale question in the form of a questionnaire. The type of sampling used in this research is convenience sampling. The sample criteria used in this study were adolescents aged 15–23 years who were studying in Indonesia and had experienced bullying in their life. In this study, screening questions were presented to see whether the respondents had experienced bullying. There are 5 types of bullying experiences used as screening statements, and respondents could answer yes or no to whether or not they had experienced bullying in their lives. The following are the five statements [1]: A friend says something mean and hurtful to you (verbal bullying) [2]. Being ignored, ostracized, or abandoned by your friends (social bullying) [3]. A friend kicks, hits, or pushes and threatens you (physical bullying) [4]. The spread of fake news about you so that your friends don't like you (verbal bullying) [5]. Other cruel and hurtful treatment towards you (physical bullying). If the respondent answered “no” to all five statements of bullying experiences, then he/she cannot be a respondent in this study. If he/she responded to one of the statements by answering yes, then he/she can be classified according to one of the statements they responded to as the type of bullying victim experiences (either verbal, physical, or social bullying). If he/she responded to more than one statement by answering yes, then he/she is accordingly classified according to the statement they responded to as their type of bullying victim experiences (either as verbal and physical, social and physical, verbal and social, or all types of bullying). These five screening items were developed based on the conceptual framework of bullying established by Olweus (1993), covering verbal, physical, and social forms of victimization. Although no formal psychometric validation was conducted for these dichotomous items, content validity was established through expert judgment by psychologists specializing in adolescent development and school-based bullying. Each item was reviewed for cultural relevance and clarity in the Indonesian context. Due to their categorical nature and distinct content domains, internal consistency metrics (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha) were not applied.

2.6. Data Analyses

Data were analyzed using Smart PLS due to the non-normal distribution of the collected data, which precluded the use of AMOS. Smart PLS was chosen because it is robust for analyzing data with non-normal distribution and supports complex structural equation modeling. The descriptive analysis showing skewness, kurtosis, and p-value of Shapiro Wilk showing abnormal distribution can be seen in Table 3.

Table 3.

-	Flourishing	Spiritual_Fortitude	Consistency_Interest	PerseveranceEffort	Grit_Total
Mean	29.90	34.54	20.84	15.49	33.57
Std. Dev.	4.73	5.77	3.72	3.99	5.57
Skew	-0.47	-0.69	-0.16	0.15	0.01
SE Skew	0.07	0.07	0.07	0.07	0.07
Kurtosis	0.64	1.57	0.70	-0.04	0.54
SE Kurtosis	0.14	0.14	0.14	0.14	0.14
Shapiro-Wilk	0.98	0.97	0.98	0.99	0.99
P- Shapiro-Wilk	4.15×10-12	1.15×10-15	5.54×10-10	3.65×10-6	6.57×10-5
Minimum	8.00	9.00	6.00	6.00	12.00
Maximum	39.00	45.00	30.00	30.00	55.00

Before conducting inferential analyses, data were screened for completeness. Respondents with missing values on key variables required for Structural Equation Modeling were excluded using listwise deletion. The overall percentage of missing data was minimal (less than 5% across all measured constructs), and no imputation techniques were applied. Given the large sample size and low level of missingness, complete-case analysis was deemed appropriate and unlikely to bias the results.

As illustrated in the distribution plot and the descriptive analysis results, the data for the Flourishing (Fig. 1)—and likewise for the other main variables, including Spiritual Fortitude (Fig. 2), Consistency of Interest (Fig. 3), Perseverance of Effort (Fig. 4) and Overall Grit Total Score (Fig. 5)—do not exhibit normal distribution characteristics. This conclusion is supported by several statistical indicators: the Shapiro-Wilk tests yielded highly significant p-values (p < 0.001), indicating a departure from normality; the skewness and kurtosis values fall outside the range typically associated with normal distributions; and the visual inspection of distribution plots also confirms non-normal patterns across all variables. Given these distributional properties, the use of covariance-based SEM (e.g., AMOS) was deemed inappropriate. Instead, this study employed Smart PLS, a variance-based SEM approach that is robust to non-normal data and more suitable for exploratory and complex mediation models under these conditions.

The analysis began by evaluating the model fit through several key indicators, such as the Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR), to ensure that the model was a good fit for the data. Next, reliability and validity tests were performed, including assessing Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, and the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) for each construct. After ensuring the measurement model was satisfactory, path analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between variables, including the mediation effect of spiritual fortitude on the relationship between grit and flourishing. The mediation effects were tested using bootstrapping procedures with 5,000 resamples at a 95% confidence interval. This non-parametric approach was used to assess the significance of indirect effects, and the significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Discriminant validity was assessed using the Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio (HTMT), which is considered a more sensitive method than traditional techniques such as the Fornell-Larcker criterion. Although VIF is often used to assess multi-collinearity, HTMT was prioritized in this study as a robust alternative for evaluating discriminant validity among constructs in the measurement model. All HTMT values in this study were below the conservative threshold of 0.85, indicating satisfactory discriminant validity across constructs [30]. For example, the HTMT values for Flourishing–Consistency of Interest (0.163), Grit–Flourishing (0.724), and Spiritual Fortitude–Perseverance of Effort (0.755) confirmed that these constructs are conceptually distinct. Therefore, no issues of multicollinearity or overlapping constructs were present in the measurement model. Full results of HTMT analysis can be seen in Table 4.

The predictive values of the grit subscales were assessed within a structural equation model using SmartPLS. Rather than employing simple linear regression for each subscale, this study utilized path analysis to examine direct and indirect effects simultaneously within a comprehensive model. This approach enabled the evaluation of the distinct contributions of both consistency of interest and perseverance of effort while accounting for the mediating role of spiritual fortitude.

Table 4.

-	Original Sample (O)
Flourishing <-> Consistency of Interest	0,163
Grit <-> Consistency of Interest	0,306
Grit <-> Flourishing	0,724
Perseverance of Effort <-> Consistency of Interest	0,278
Perseverance of Effort <-> Flourishing	0,730
Perseverance of Effort <-> Grit	1,270
Spiritual Fortitude <-> Consistency of Interest	0,126
Spiritual Fortitude <-> Flourishing	0,766
Spiritual Fortitude <-> Grit	0,760
Spiritual Fortitude <-> Perseverance of Effort	0,755

3. RESULTS

The results of the Smart PLS model can be seen in Fig. (6).

The Smart PLS analysis provided insights into the relationships between grit, spiritual fortitude, and flourishing, supporting all the proposed hypotheses. The path coefficients can be seen in Table 5.

3.3. Model Fit

The model fit indices indicated that the structural model fit the data well. The Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) was 0.074 for the estimated model and 0.073 for the saturated model, both values below the threshold of 0.08, indicating a good fit. Additionally, the d_ULS values for the estimated model (2.520) and the saturated model (2.468) were within acceptable limits, further confirming the model's fit.

4. DISCUSSION

The findings of this study confirm the first hypothesis, which posits that grit directly predicts flourishing among adolescent bullying victims. This aligns with prior research indicating that grit promotes long-term goal commitment and perseverance, thereby supporting positive mental health outcomes [21, 31]. Adolescents with higher grit may be better equipped to maintain motivation and overcome emotional setbacks caused by bullying, resulting in enhanced psychological well-being.

The second hypothesis, stating that grit predicts spiritual fortitude, was also supported. This suggests that individuals who are persistent and goal-oriented may also draw upon internal spiritual resources when facing adversity. Previous

studies have shown that grit is positively associated with meaning-making and existential coping [16], both of which are foundational aspects of spiritual fortitude. Furthermore, spiritual development has been found to flourish when individuals possess psychological traits such as perseverance and long-term focus [28, 31]. This finding highlights the interconnectedness of personal and spiritual strength in resilience-building processes, particularly within cultures where spirituality plays a central role, such as Indonesia [25].

The third hypothesis, which proposed that spiritual fortitude mediates the relationship between grit and flourishing, was also supported. The path analysis results demonstrated a significant indirect effect of grit on flourishing through spiritual fortitude. This aligns with findings from Wong [32], who emphasized that spiritual meaning-making often serves as a mediator between adversity and well-being. Similarly, other research [33] found that spiritual strength could buffer the negative effects of stress while enhancing life satisfaction and flourishing. This supports the idea that grit may enhance flourishing not only through direct pathways but also via the strengthening of spiritual endurance, which helps individuals assign meaning to their suffering and persevere with hope.

The role of grit sub-dimensions also merits further discussion. Although both consistency of interest and perseverance of effort contribute to overall grit, the findings indicate that perseverance plays a significantly stronger role. This aligns with prior research suggesting that sustained effort, rather than mere interest, is more predictive of long-term resilience outcomes [24, 16]. In contexts of adversity such as bullying, the ability to persist through hardship may be more critical than maintaining consistent goals.

Based on the analysis of additional descriptive data, the data shows that the timing of bullying also affects the psychological condition of the respondents. In the results, it was found that respondents who had never experienced bullying tended to have higher spiritual fortitude, grit, and flourishing values than respondents who had experienced bullying. The timing of bullying that occurred at the age of over 15 years seemed to have the most visible effect compared to other age timings because it had the lowest values in terms of spiritual fortitude, grit, and flourishing. Research by Sigurdson et al. [7], Ngo et al. [34], and Arseneault [35] consistently shows that bullying—regardless of when it occurs—can lead to internalizing problems, including depression and anxiety, persisting into adulthood. Bullying in higher education, as discussed by Tight [36] and Myers and Cowie [37], tends to result in more severe psychological outcomes due to the social and academic pressures experienced during this life stage. Therefore, when respondents in this study answered that the bullying still occurred over the age of 15 years, then the respondents are likely experiencing the bullying conditions. This then causes respondents who are still experiencing bullying to report lower spiritual fortitude, grit, and flourishing values.

Based on the analysis of the following descriptive additional data, it was found that among the three types of bullying (verbal, social, and physical), there were similarities in the results, namely, social bullying had a greater effect on the condition of the participant respondents because it had the lowest values for spiritual fortitude, grit, and flourishing. Furthermore, when verbal and physical are compared, physical bullying tends to have lesser effect than verbal bullying because verbal bullying has lower values for spiritual fortitude, grit, and flourishing on respondents. Torres et al. [38] found that social bullying, due to its chronic and covert nature, often leads to more serious mental health outcomes than physical bullying. Supporting this, Cho and Lee [39] highlighted that a combination of verbal and social bullying compounds harms and increases vulnerability in victims. As a closing conclusion on the descriptive results, it appears that respondents who experience all types of bullying will have the lowest values for spiritual fortitude, grit and flourishing. Table 9 provides important insights into the differential psychological effects of various types of bullying. Notably, the combination of verbal and social bullying is associated with the lowest levels of grit, spiritual fortitude, and flourishing, emphasizing the compounded harm of multiple bullying types.

Despite these positive findings, some limitations should be considered. The study’s cross-sectional design limits the ability to draw causal conclusions, and the reliance on self-reported data may introduce biases. Future research could benefit from longitudinal studies to better understand the temporal relationships between grit, spiritual fortitude, and flourishing. Additionally, while the sample size was robust, the study's use of convenience sampling may limit the generalizability of the findings to other adolescent populations in Indonesia. Further research could explore how these relationships play out across different cultural or religious contexts.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the present study highlights the importance of both grit and spiritual fortitude in promoting flourishing among adolescent victims of bullying in Indonesia. The findings suggest that while grit serves as a foundation for resilience, spiritual fortitude acts as a crucial mediator that enhances adolescents’ ability to recover and thrive after traumatic experiences. These results have practical implications for mental health interventions and educational policies, emphasizing the need for programs that foster both perseverance and spiritual resilience. Future interventions should focus on strengthening these traits to support adolescent victims of bullying in achieving long-term psychological well-being and flourishing.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

Despite its valuable findings, this study has several limitations. First, the cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causal relationships between grit, spiritual fortitude, and flourishing. Future research should consider longitudinal studies to examine the long-term effect of these psychological factors on adolescent well-being. Second, the self-reported data used in this study may introduce social desirability bias, as participants might have responded in a manner they perceived as socially acceptable rather than reflecting their true experiences. Utilizing mixed-method approaches or incorporating objective psychological assessments in future studies could mitigate this limitation. Third, convenience sampling was used, which may limit the generalizability of findings beyond the study’s sample population. Future studies should employ random sampling methods to enhance external validity. Fourth, the sample was predominantly Protestant (56.8%), which may have influenced the findings related to spiritual fortitude. Future research should consider a more religiously diverse sample or examine whether religious affiliation moderates the relationship between spiritual fortitude and flourishing. Furthermore, while this study examined mediation effects using Structural Equation Modeling, the cross-sectional nature of the data limits causal interpretations. Mediation analysis assumes temporal sequencing, yet all variables were measured simultaneously. Therefore, the mediational findings should be interpreted as correlational rather than indicative of causal pathways. Longitudinal or experimental studies are recommended for future research to verify the directional influence between grit, spiritual fortitude, and flourishing. Lastly, cultural and religious diversity among the participants was not extensively examined as a moderating factor, which could be explored in future research to provide a more nuanced understanding of the role of spiritual fortitude in different sociocultural contexts.

REFERENCES