Penyesuaian psikososial di sekolah: kajian kes dalam kalangan penghuni rumah kanak-kanak (RKK) Arau, Perlis

Children under protection and care institutions face various issues and challenges in education. The focus of this study is to explore the psychosocial adjustment of RKK residents at school entrenched in the perspective of RKK residents, supervised by the Department of Social Welfare. The study’s objective is to identify the ability of RKK residents to adjust psychosocially within the school environment, explore life experiences that affect psychosocial adjustment, and identify the teachers’ roles in the psychosocial adjustment process. The study was conducted in three schools with RKK residents in Perlis with 19 participants including ten RKK residents aged 13 to 17 years old, eight teachers, and one RKK staff member. Qualitative data derived from 11 individual interviews and 2 focus group discussions were collected through semistructured interviews guided by an interview protocol and analyzed thematically. The results found that the psychosocial adjustment ability of RKK residents is affected by positive and negative attitudes and relationships with peers. Two main aspects of life experience influence psychosocial adjustment, namely placement history and activities, and programs. It showed that teachers play a role in improving psychosocial adjustment through the relationship between teachers and students, student management, and RKK's support. This study benefitted the study of the psychology of human development, especially in understanding the psychosocial adjustment of residents of protection and care institutions. The study showed that the RKK and the school have carried out their responsibilities within limitations that need some attention. Theoretically, this study enriches the knowledge corpus involving the phenomenon of psychosocial adaptation of children in protection and care institutions. Quality enhancement in improving psychosocial adaptation skills can be implemented by empowering the knowledge, skills, and cooperation of the school, teachers, and RKK residents