COMMICAST

Health Communication Experiences of Cervical Cancer Patient Navigators in Supporting Remission at RSKD

2026-06-05T08:59:23+00:00

This study explores the experiences of cervical cancer patient navigators in motivating themselves and other patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation at RSKD to achieve remission. Motivation plays an important role in helping patients develop positive thinking and a strong determination to recover. The study uses a phenomenological approach to understand how survivors interpret their experiences and give meaning to their journey toward remission. Although patient navigation has been widely investigated in high-income countries, empirical evidence on how patient navigators in Indonesia, particularly at RSKD, experience and enact health communication in supporting cervical cancer patients during remission remains scarce. Moreover, Indonesia's unique cultural context, healthcare system, and communication practices may generate distinct communication experiences and challenges that are not adequately reflected in the existing international literature. The research involved two women aged 50–65 years who had previously undergone chemotherapy and radiation and were later declared free from HPV. Both participants currently serve as patient navigators for cervical cancer patients at RSKD. Data were collected using purposive and snowball sampling within a constructivist paradigm. The findings show that achieving remission is not only a medical struggle but also a psychological and social one. The participants experienced pessimism, hopelessness, and social stigma that viewed cancer as a fatal disease. Despite these challenges, they were able to motivate themselves and support other patients through interpersonal communication and shared experiences. Spiritual closeness to God emerged as the main source of strength and resilience in maintaining hope and motivation toward remission

The Influence of Materialism on Compulsive Buying Among University Students Using PayLater Services

2026-07-15T04:36:28+00:00

The rapid growth of Buy Now, PayLater services has transformed consumer behavior, particularly among university students who are highly engaged with digital platforms. The accessibility, payment flexibility, and convenience offered by PayLater services may encourage excessive consumption patterns, including impulsive and compulsive buying behaviors. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of materialism on compulsive buying by considering the mediating roles of PayLater use, impulsive buying, and continuous PayLater adoption intention among university students. A quantitative research approach was employed using a questionnaire survey administered to 256 university students who actively use PayLater services. The collected data were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings indicate that materialism has a positive effect on PayLater use, impulsive buying, and compulsive buying. PayLater use also significantly influences impulsive buying and continuous PayLater adoption intention. Furthermore, impulsive buying significantly affects compulsive buying behavior. However, impulsive buying does not significantly affect continuous PayLater adoption intention, and continuous PayLater adoption intention does not significantly influence compulsive buying. The mediation analysis further reveals that PayLater use and impulsive buying do not significantly mediate the relationship between materialism and compulsive buying. This study extends the literature on digital consumer behavior by offering an integrated model that explains how psychological dan behavioral factors interact in shaping compulsive buying among university students in the context of PayLater services. The findings provide theoritical insights into consumer behavior in digital finance and practical implications for PayLater service providers and policy makers in promoting mor responsible financial consumption.

The Health Communication Pattern of BIMAWA UAD in Supporting Mental Health for Students

2026-07-15T04:01:03+00:00

The mental health of students is an issue that is increasingly receiving serious attention in higher education environments, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic which worsened students' psychological conditions due to limited social interaction, academic pressure, and adaptation crises. This study examines the health communication patterns implemented by the Student Affairs Bureau (BIMAWA) of Ahmad Dahlan University (UAD) in assisting students' mental health, as well as to identify communication barriers faced in the process. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method, where data is collected through in-depth interviews with two BIMAWA staff and one student who utilized this service, supported by program documentation. Data is analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis with the application of source and method triangulation to ensure the validity of the findings. The results of the study identify four main themes, namely (1) the integrated use of verbal and non-verbal communication through seminars, counseling, and empathetic approaches; (2) the implementation of multi-channel communication strategies that combine digital platforms such as Instagram, Telegram, email, and face-to-face communication; (3) mental health messages that are trifunctional, namely educational, persuasive, and motivational, tailored to the learning stages of students; and (4) communication barriers that include psychological stigma, gaps in digital literacy, and limited access to information. This study concludes that BIMAWA UAD has implemented a systematic and adaptive health communication pattern, although efforts to eliminate stigma and strengthen digital literacy still need to be improved. These findings have implications for the importance of developing inclusive and sustainable health communication strategies in university environments to support students' overall mental well-being.

The Association of Persuasive Communication and Extra-Communication Factors with Financial Literacy and Inclusion in Rural Communities

2026-07-21T07:27:33+00:00

This study aims to develop a persuasive communication model capable of improving financial literacy and inclusion in rural communities. The study employed a mixed methods approach. A quantitative study was conducted on 174 MSMEs in Cikembar Village, Sukabumi Regency, analyzing the associations between message arguments, message periphery, message source, and extra-communication factors with financial literacy and financial inclusion, with elaboration level specified as a moderator. using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The qualitative study employed thematic analysis of secondary data. Qualitative data from interviews, webinars, and financial literacy program documentation were analyzed thematically to provide contextual interpretation of the quantitative findings. Message argument (β = 0.37, p < 0.001), message source (β = 0.22, p = 0.006), and extra-communication factors (β = 0.28, p = 0.001) were positively associated with financial literacy. Financial literacy was also positively associated with financial inclusion (β = 0.21, p = 0.046), while the direct association between message argument and financial inclusion was not statistically significant (β = 0.13, p = 0.069). Elaboration level significantly moderated the associations of message argument and extra-communication factors with financial inclusion, whereas message periphery was not statistically significant. The qualitative findings contextualized these relationships by identifying implementation mechanisms. The study contributes to theory by contextualizing persuasion within a communication-readiness environment, showing that financial persuasion in rural settings involves message processing and the social and institutional conditions that support the translation of financial information into literacy and inclusion.

Staging Empathy: Affective Representation in Public Communication during Disaster Contexts

2026-06-05T08:56:35+00:00

Empathy is widely regarded as a crucial element of public communication, particularly in disaster contexts that demand sensitivity toward affected communities. In digital media environments, however, empathy functions not merely as an expression of concern but also as a mediated and performative practice shaped through audiovisual representations. This study examines how empathy is constructed and performed in Instagram videos published by public actors, specifically @zul.hasan, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and @bramastavrl, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), during the 2025 Sumatra floods. Employing a qualitative audiovisual analysis, the study examines visual, narrative, and interactional elements through Erving Goffman’s dramaturgical perspective. The findings identify four dimensions of staged empathy: embodied empathy, represented empathy, relational empathy, and legitimizing empathy. These dimensions demonstrate how empathy is performed through bodily expressions, narrative construction, symbolic interactions with affected communities, and representations of institutional authority. The findings suggest that empathy functions as a performative communication practice through which political actors negotiate moral positioning and public legitimacy in digitally mediated disaster contexts. Theoretically, this study contributes to communication and digital media scholarship by proposing a four-dimensional analytical framework of affective empathy that extends existing discussions of empathy beyond interpersonal emotion toward its representational and performative dimensions in digital disaster communication.

The Brain Rot Phenomenon in TikTok Usage and Its Impact on Students Critical Thinking Skills in Semarang

2026-07-28T04:41:29+00:00

TikTok's dominance in Indonesia's social media landscape has intensified concern over brain rot, a popularly termed condition associated with cognitive fatigue and diminished analytical capacity linked to excessive short-form video consumption, particularly among university students whose academic work depends on sustained critical thinking. However, how this phenomenon relates to students' critical thinking, and why its apparent effects appear to differ between individuals with similarly high TikTok exposure, remains underexplored in the Indonesian context. This study aims to examine how Semarang university students subjectively experience TikTok-related brain rot and how that experience relates to their information-verification behavior as a dimension of critical thinking. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 purposively selected heavy-viewer informants (TikTok use exceeding four hours daily), triangulated with observation and screen-time data, and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model within a cultivation-theory framework. Findings indicate that informants' accounts of reduced concentration, superficial information processing, and diminished depth in critical analysis were associated with three recurring factors: purpose of TikTok use, information-verification habits, and engagement in academic activities beyond social media; informants who verified information consistently and remained academically engaged tended to describe less pronounced effects, while those without these habits described more pronounced ones. Based on these patterns, this study proposes a typology of three informant groups, ranging from consistent verifiers to passive recipients who circulate information without cross-checking, offering a more contextual, evidence-grounded basis for designing targeted digital literacy interventions than blanket TikTok-use restrictions.

Navigating Crisis in Digital Public Spaces : PT KAI’s Communication Strategy on Instagram @keretaapikita After the East Bekasi Accident

2026-07-24T22:56:52+00:00

Crisis communication is crucial for public transportation companies, especially when a crisis results in loss of life. This study analyzes PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) crisis communication via its Instagram account @keretaapikita following the train accident in East Bekasi using Coombs’ Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT). This study contributes to the field of crisis communication by examining SCCT strategies in official Instagram content and the presence of several indicators within a single carousel post. Using a descriptive qualitative content analysis, this study examined 12 purposively selected Instagram posts published between April 28 and May 9, 2026, analyzed for their visual elements and captions following the Miles and Huberman model. The findings indicated that PT KAI's response was structured around accountability rather than defensiveness: Rebuild and Bolstering were the dominant response clusters, evidenced by the Compensation indicator appearing in all 12 posts and the Reminder indicator in 10 posts, while the Diminish indicator (Justification) appeared in only 3 posts and the Deny strategy did not appear at all. Several indicators frequently co-occurred within a single carousel post rather than standing alone, suggesting that the account combined factual explanation, compensation, and emotional solidarity as a deliberate, mutually reinforcing response rather than as isolated, ad hoc tactics. Taken together, PT KAI’s crisis communication emphasized accountability rather than denial, providing a reference for public transportation companies seeking to develop more accountable social media crisis communication.

Enhancing Community Literacy Through Instagram @babasalmombasa in Luwuk District

2025-08-17T11:07:38+00:00

Low community participation in literacy activities, particularly among social media users, remains a challenge in promoting a sustainable reading culture. Instagram provides an opportunity to disseminate literacy content through interactive and accessible digital communication. This study aims to examine the contribution of the Instagram account @babasalmombasa to literacy development in Luwuk District, Banggai Regency. The study contributes to the literature by focusing on a specific local Instagram account within a semi-urban community and by integrating quantitative evidence with practical insights into social media-based literacy initiatives. Data were collected from 92 respondents selected from 1.154 followers using Slovin’s formula. Data collection involved observation, questionnaires, and documentation, followed by simple linear regression analysis. The results indicate that Instagram usage has a significant positive contribution to literacy development, with an Adjusted R² of 0.410, indicating that 41.0% of the variation in literacy development can be explained by engagement with the @babasalmombasa account. These findings support the Uses and Gratifications perspective by demonstrating the potential of social media to integrate digital communication with community literacy activities. Practically, the findings suggest that strategically designed Instagram content can strengthen community engagement and support local literacy initiatives. The study concludes that Instagram can serve as an effective complementary medium for promoting literacy development in semi-urban communities.

Communication Model of The Partnership System Between The Human Capital Division of Company X Yogyakarta and Telemarketing Partners

2026-08-09T14:01:13+00:00

Companies implementing partnership-based employment systems require internal communication mechanisms that support timely information dissemination, work coordination, and meaningful interaction with partners. At Company X Yogyakarta, the Human Capital Division functions as a central communication hub for telemarketing partners; however, communication remains constrained by delays in information dissemination, limited policy socialization, restricted upward communication, and weak cross-channel interaction. This study aims to analyze the communication model within the partnership system between the Human Capital Division and telemarketing partners and to develop a communication model that addresses these communication gaps. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed using interviews, observations, and documentation. The findings indicate that communication is predominantly hierarchical and operates through three patterns: downward communication for disseminating organizational policies and information, upward communication for reporting operational issues and feedback, and cross-channel communication for information exchange across functional units. The main weaknesses are not only related to the flow of information but also to the limited availability of structured mechanisms for partner feedback, clarification, and follow-up. Based on these findings, the proposed communication model integrates downward communication with formal upward feedback mechanisms and validated cross-channel communication. The Human Capital Division is positioned as a communication hub responsible not only for information dissemination but also for coordinating feedback and ensuring communication consistency across channels. Continuous evaluation is incorporated to facilitate periodic assessment and improvement of communication practices. The proposed model provides a framework for strengthening two-way communication, improving feedback responsiveness, and supporting more coordinated communication within the partnership system.

Audience-Generated Political Memes in TikTok Comment Sections: A Roland Barthes Semiotic Analysis of Kompas TV's TikTok Account

2026-07-28T05:41:27+00:00

This study examines audience-generated memes in the TikTok comment section as a form of audience participation in digital political communication, focusing on content related to Bahlil Lahadalia on the Kompas TV account. Using a qualitative approach with Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis, this research examines ten memes purposively selected from 26 identified meme-based comments in the comment section. Using a qualitative approach with Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis, this research examines ten memes purposively selected from 26 identified meme-based comments in the comment section. The analysis focuses on denotation, connotation, and myth to examine how audiences construct political meanings through satire, direct criticism, humor, and sarcasm. The findings show that audiences use memes through four communication forms, political satire, direct criticism, humor, and sarcasm, to express political evaluation and criticism of public figures. Political satire uses irony and cultural references to question political images, direct criticism conveys explicit responses to political issues and public policies, humor transforms political criticism into accessible and entertaining expressions, while sarcasm conveys sharper criticism through indirect and ironic representations. At the myth level, memes reveal broader cultural meanings, including the normalization of audience participation in shaping public images, the contestation of dominant political narratives, and the use of popular culture and internet language as shared symbolic resources. This study highlights memes as an active form of audience participation in constructing political discourse in digital spaces.

Clout’s Inferno and Self-Promoting Personal Brand for Impression Through Reality TV

2026-06-23T05:03:27+00:00

Personal branding has become a common strategy for individuals seeking to strengthen their reputation, visibility, and influence within digital media environments. The entertainment industry, particularly reality television, increasingly functions as a platform for self-promotion where participants transform media exposure into personal and professional opportunities. Despite the growing popularity of reality-based programs, studies examining how contestants strategically construct personal branding through entertainment media remain limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating how female cast members from all seasons of Single’s Inferno utilize the program as a stepping stone for image-building and reputation management. The contribution of this study lies in expanding discussions on reality television as a mechanism for influencer culture formation and identity commodification within contemporary media ecosystems. This research employs a qualitative approach using thematic analysis. Data were collected through observation of Netflix’s Single’s Inferno across four seasons, focusing on selected female contestants and their representation within the program. The analysis was guided by Impression Management Theory to identify patterns of self-presentation, identity construction, and promotional practices. Findings reveal three dominant impression management strategies. First, contestants consistently curate physical appearance and fashion to establish aspirational and commercially attractive identities. Second, they strategically regulate emotional expression and interpersonal interactions to project authenticity, confidence, and relational desirability. Third, contestants utilize narrative visibility within the program as a mechanism for increasing social media recognition and subsequent commercial opportunities. The results also demonstrate that reality television increasingly serves as an integrated platform connecting entertainment media, influencer culture, and economic opportunities. This study concludes that contemporary reality television has evolved into a hybrid communication platform where entertainment, self-presentation, and digital entrepreneurship converge. Rather than simply seeking romantic relationships, contestants strategically convert televised visibility into personal branding assets, influencer credibility, and long-term economic opportunities across digital media platforms.

Profile Video Development for Strengthening Study Program Identity and Institutional Image

2026-07-25T06:08:06+00:00

This study aims to examine the role of profile video production by the Communication Science Laboratory at Ahmad Dahlan University as a strategy for strengthening the identity and image of the Communication Studies Study Program in the digital era. This study employs a qualitative approach using a case study method. The ADDIE model is adopted as a framework for the development of the profile video, while data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and analysis of Instagram Reels Insights. The results indicate that the profile video functions as an institutional communication instrument capable of representing the laboratory’s identity through the visualization of its facilities, practical activities, and student competencies. Instagram Insights data show that the videos generated 6,504 impressions, reached 2,908 accounts, generated 189 interactions, and reached 78.4% non-follower audiences. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of profile videos in expanding the reach of institutional branding. Furthermore, the profile video contributes to increasing students’ sense of pride in the laboratory facilities and strengthening perceptions of the professionalism of the Communication Studies Study Program. This study highlights the strategic role of profile videos as a visual communication instrument for strengthening the identity and image of higher education institutions in the digital era

Communicating Non-Medical Treatment of Diabetes through Youtube in A Medical System with Indigenous Knowledge System

2026-06-23T05:37:34+00:00

Existing research has largely examined diabetes burden, traditional medicine, and the reliability of online health information as separate concerns, leaving unclear how digital platforms bring competing forms of therapeutic authority into patients’ treatment decisions. This study examined how YouTube influences awareness, knowledge, and adoption of indigenous and non-medical diabetes treatments among patients aged 40 years and above attending selected Federal Medical Centres in South-East Nigeria. An explanatory mixed-methods design was adopted. Quantitative data were obtained from 340 diagnosed diabetes patients selected through simple random sampling, while qualitative data were generated through semi-structured interviews with 24 medical personnel and caregivers purposively selected across the study sites. The survey instrument was tested for internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha, and the quantitative and qualitative evidence were integrated during interpretation. More than 76% of respondents reported awareness of indigenous or non-medical diabetes treatments through YouTube, while 61.7% indicated that YouTube content had a high or very high influence on their adoption of such practices. Interview evidence further showed that healthcare professionals encountered patients whose treatment decisions were shaped by online claims, including unverified “miracle cure” narratives, raising concerns about misinformation, treatment delays, and declining confidence in professional advice. The study’s original contribution lies in connecting three areas often examined separately digital health communication, indigenous diabetes-management knowledge, and therapeutic decision-making by demonstrating how YouTube can alter the communicative environment in which biomedical and non-medical treatment claims become visible and compete for credibility. The findings imply that digital health communication should move beyond simply increasing online information and instead develop culturally responsive, professionally verified, and digitally literate communication strategies capable of engaging the treatment narratives already shaping diabetes care in Nigeria.

The Influence of Viral Marketing and Celebrity Endorsers on Purchase Decisions for Bittersweet by Najla Products through E-Commerce Platforms

2026-06-23T05:59:58+00:00

The rapid growth of e-commerce has intensified competition among food and beverage brands, encouraging marketers to combine viral marketing strategies with celebrity endorsements to influence consumer purchasing decisions. However, limited studies have simultaneously examined the relative influence of these two marketing approaches in the context of local F&B brands operating through e-commerce platforms. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of viral marketing and celebrity endorsers on purchase decisions for Bittersweet by Najla products. A quantitative survey was conducted with 479 respondents, and the data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that viral content information, celebrity attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertise significantly influence purchase decisions, whereas viral content credibility and usefulness show no significant effects. These findings demonstrate that consumers' purchase decisions are driven more by the persuasive and emotional characteristics of celebrity endorsers than by the perceived credibility or usefulness of viral content. This study contributes to digital marketing communication literature by providing empirical evidence that the effectiveness of integrated marketing strategies in e-commerce depends more on emotional engagement and endorser quality than on informational aspects of viral content, offering practical implications for developing more effective promotional strategies for digital-based local brands.

From TikTok to the Ballot Box: Parasocial Relationships and the Construction of Presidential Choice in the 2024 Election

2026-06-05T08:46:50+00:00

The 2024 Indonesian Presidential Election shows various communication phenomena. With Generation Z and Millennials comprising the majority of voters, political communication has increasingly shifted toward personal, emotional appeals through social-media figures, making it urgent to understand whether such bonds translate into political choice. In the era of media convergence, audiences are both consumers and producers of content, and one rapidly growing phenomenon is politainment on TikTok. Figures such as Major Teddy (now Lieutenant Colonel), an aide to one of the presidential candidates, attract the public, especially young women, through content displaying his professionalism and visual appeal. This study uses a qualitative phenomenological approach involving six informants to reveal how idolizing Major Teddy forms a parasocial relationship shaping his fans’ political preferences. The results show that the parasocial relationship established with Major Teddy plays an important role in increasing political engagement and shaping the political views of his followers. This effect is most significant among first-time voters who tend to be more responsive to political communication based on public figures on social media. Thus, this study highlights the important role of parasocial phenomena in the dynamics of digital political communication in Indonesia. Theoretically, it contributes to Political Parasocial Relationship, whereas such relations are assumed to arise from celebrity appeal, this study shows they can instead grow from qualities resembling institutional trust, the orderliness, privacy guarding conduct, and professionalism of a military aide which informants ranked above their admiration for popular idols.