Effectiveness of Sajie Care Application in Reducing Stress: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Isymiarni Syarif; Hasnawati Amqam; Saidah Syamsuddin

doi:10.56741/IISTR.jphs.001358

Authors

Isymiarni Syarif
Isymiarni_syarif@uim-makassar.ac.id
Universitas Islam Makassar https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0042-0079
Hasnawati Amqam Universitas Hasanuddin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4961-8517
Saidah Syamsuddin Universitas Hasanuddin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4331-1680

Keywords:

Caregiver, Effectiveness, Literacy, Schizophrenia, Stress

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Sajie Care mobile application in reducing stress among caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design was conducted with 64 caregivers in Labakkang Sub-district, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Participants were divided into an intervention group using the Sajie Care app (n = 32) and a control group receiving leaflet-based psychoeducation (n = 32). The three-month intervention integrated stress management education, Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) therapy, medication reminders, and peer support. Stress levels were assessed using the Indonesian version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The intervention group showed a significant reduction in mean stress scores from 17.84 to 13.06 (p < 0.001), while the control group showed a smaller, non-significant change (16.84 to 15.75; p = 0.070). Between-group analysis confirmed significant differences at posttest 3 (p = 0.014). These findings indicate that Sajie Care effectively reduces caregiver stress and enhances coping capacity compared to conventional psychoeducation. The study demonstrates the potential of culturally adapted mobile health interventions as accessible, sustainable tools to strengthen community-based mental health services in low-resource settings.

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Author Biographies

Isymiarni Syarif, Universitas Islam Makassar

is an education scientist and senior lecturer in the Department of Nursing at Universitas Islam Makassar. Her academic work focuses on nursing education, community health, health promotion, and educational development in healthcare settings. She has contributed to teaching, research, and community service activities aimed at improving nursing competencies and public health awareness in Indonesia through interdisciplinary and evidence-based educational approaches. (email: Isymiarni_syarif@uim-makassar.ac.id).

Hasnawati Amqam, Universitas Hasanuddin

is an education scientist and senior lecturer in the Department of Environmental Health at Universitas Hasanuddin. Her scholarly interests include environmental health, public health promotion, sanitation, and sustainable health education. She actively participates in academic research and community engagement programs related to environmental risk prevention and health improvement, particularly in strengthening public awareness and environmental health practices within Indonesian communities. (email: hasnawati.amqam@ms.unhas.ac.id).

Saidah Syamsuddin , Universitas Hasanuddin

is an education scientist and senior lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at Universitas Hasanuddin. Her academic and professional interests include mental health, psychiatric education, psychosocial wellbeing, and healthcare development. She has been involved in teaching, research, and community-based mental health initiatives that support psychological wellbeing, educational advancement, and the integration of mental health awareness into healthcare and academic environments in Indonesia. (email: idasyam70@gmail.com).

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