Fenomena Escapism Pada Mahasiswa Introvert Penyuka Film Fantasi

Abstract

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengeksplorasi fenomena escapism pada mahasiswa introvert penyuka film fantasi dengan menyoroti motivasi, pengalaman, serta dampaknya. Teori Stenseng mengenai dimensi self-suppression dan self-expansion serta konsep bentuk escapism dari Evans digunakan sebagai kerangka analisis. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif fenomenologi dengan dua partisipan berusia 22 tahun yang diidentifikasi sebagai introvert melalui instrumen MBTI dan dipilih dengan teknik purposive sampling. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara semi- terstruktur dan dokumentasi berupa foto serta unggahan media sosial sebagai bentuk triangulasi, kemudian dianalisis menggunakan teknik analisis tematik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan dua temuan utama. Pertama, escapism berfungsi sebagai mekanisme koping terhadap kejenuhan akademik dan tekanan sosial (self- suppression), sekaligus menyediakan ruang aman imajiner yang memberikan rasa kebebasan dan kendali (self-expansion). Kedua, escapism memberikan dampak positif, seperti meredakan stres, mengurangi kecemasan, menumbuhkan imajinasi, serta membantu pemulihan emosional. Namun penelitian juga menemukan bahwa escapism dapat menimbulkan dampak negatif, seperti prokrastinasi akademik, gangguan tidur, keterasingan sosial, dan ketergantungan emosional pada dunia fiksi. Secara keseluruhan, penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa escapism pada mahasiswa introvert bersifat ambivalen: adaptif jika dikendalikan secara proporsional, tetapi berisiko maladaptif bila melewati batas. This study aims to explore the phenomenon of escapism among introverted university students who enjoy fantasy films, focusing on their motivations, experiences, and pacts. Stenseng’s theory on the dimensions of self-suppression and self-expansion, along with Evans’ concept of forms of escapism, was used as the analytical framework. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach with two 22-year-old participants identified as introverts through the MBTI instrument and selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and documentation, including photos and social media posts as a form of triangulation, and were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The findings revealed two main points. First, escapism functions as a coping mechanism for academic boredom and social pressures (self-suppression), while simultaneously providing an imaginary safe space that offers a sense of freedom and control (self-expansion). Second, escapism yields positive effects, such as stress relief, anxiety reduction, fostering imagination, and supporting emotional recovery. However, the study also found that escapism may have negative consequences, including academic procrastination, sleep disturbances, social isolation, and emotional dependence on fictional worlds. Overall, the study concludes that escapism among introverted students is ambivalent: it is adaptive when managed proportionally, but carries a risk of maladaptive outcomes if taken to extremes.