KETERBUKAAN KOMUNIKASI ANAK PADA ORANG TUA TERKAIT MASALAH KESEHATAN MENTAL (Studi Kasus Pada Mahasiswa yang Mengalami Mental Health Disorder)

Open communication between children who are survivors of mental health disorders and their parents is a crucial aspect in supporting the child’s psychological treatment process. Nonjudgmental communication enables children to feel valued and understood, thereby increasing their willingness to seek help when needed. This study employs two theoretical frameworks, namely Social Penetration Theory and the Johari Window. These theories are used to map the openness of communication between children and their parents, emphasizing the relationship between layers of self-disclosure and the expansion of the open area based on interpersonal support. The research adopts a qualitative approach using a case study method involving three university students who are survivors of mental health issues and are currently pursuing higher education at several universities in Malang City. The findings indicate that children’s openness in communicating about mental health is not linear, but adaptive, and is influenced by the quality of relationships, the family’s emotional capacity, and prior interaction experiences. Social Penetration Theory and the Johari Window provide a comprehensive understanding that self-disclosure is a multilayered process shaped by levels of trust, emotional sensitivity, and relational dynamics within the family.