The Importance of Interpersonal Communication Skills for Emotional Well-Being and Life Satisfaction Among Vocational School Students

• Aulia Miftahul Huda

  Indonesia University of Education

  Author

Interpersonal communication skills are one of the  most important soft skills in facing the challenges of the 21st century, both in the context of academics, the world of work, and social life. For Vocational High School (SMK) students, this ability is very crucial because vocational school graduates are not only required to master technical competencies, but also social skills to be able to adapt to a dynamic work environment. However, the increasing dependence of adolescents on the use of gadgets has an impact on decreasing the intensity of meaningful face-to-face interactions, thereby hindering the development of interpersonal communication skills. Based on this phenomenon, the purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the patterns of interpersonal communication that develop among vocational school students. The method used in this study is literature review, which is to review various literature and previous research results by examining various scientific sources in the fields of psychology, education and pedagogics, philosophy, health, and guidance and counseling practices. The results of the study show that interpersonal communication skills contribute significantly to social development, emotional well-being, and job readiness of vocational school students. However, the high intensity of using gadgets has the potential to weaken empathy, the intensity of direct communication, and the ability to build positive social relationships. As an implication, schools need to strengthen the role of teachers and Guidance and Counseling (BK) services as well as all school stakeholders to contribute to efforts to improve students' interpersonal communication skills for the realization of a happier and more meaningful life. The results of this study recommend that researchers look for strategies to improve interpersonal communication skills that are implemented in the school environment, especially at the vocational level.

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