Yogyakarta, July 9, 2026 – The Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), through its Industrial and Organizational Psychology (IOP) Research Team, organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Exploring the Determinants of Teachers' Workplace Happiness in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) on July 9, 2026. The discussion involved 22 elementary school teachers representing different districts across the Special Region of Yogyakarta as part of a foundational research project aimed at identifying the factors that shape teachers' workplace happiness within the local cultural context.

The research is led by Dr. Rosita Endang Kusmaryani, S.Psi., M.Si., with team members Dyah Ayu Purwaniningtyas, S.Psi., M.A., Rilis Asterina, M.Psi., and R. Mahendra Wijaya Santoso, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psychologist. The project also involves undergraduate students from the Faculty of Psychology, namely Niken Rahayu, Muhamad Irsyad, Rahel Embun Damai Christiana, and Ilham Kurniawan, providing valuable research experience through active participation in data collection and analysis.

The study was initiated based on the premise that teachers in Indonesia, particularly in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, work within a unique educational ecosystem shaped by strong local cultural values and distinctive social dynamics. Consequently, the determinants of teachers' workplace happiness may differ from findings reported in international literature, highlighting the need for context-specific research.

Using the Focus Group Discussion approach, participants shared their experiences and perspectives regarding various factors influencing their workplace happiness. The discussions explored themes such as the meaning of the teaching profession, relationships with colleagues and school leaders, organizational support, workload, work-life balance, opportunities for professional development, and the influence of Yogyakarta's cultural values on teachers' daily professional experiences.

The findings from this exploratory study will serve as the foundation for developing a conceptual framework of teachers' workplace happiness that reflects the Indonesian educational context. The research is expected to contribute to the advancement of Industrial and Organizational Psychology while providing evidence-based insights that can inform educational policies and interventions aimed at enhancing teachers' well-being.

Beyond its academic contribution, the study strengthens collaboration between higher education institutions and education practitioners in promoting teacher well-being as an essential component of educational quality. By actively involving teachers as research participants, the project ensures that their experiences and perspectives inform future policy recommendations and organizational practices.

Through this research, the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, reaffirms its commitment to producing impactful research that addresses societal needs and contributes to the continuous improvement of Indonesia's education system. The results are expected to support the development of healthier, more meaningful, and more productive work environments for teachers.

This research also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting teachers' psychological well-being, SDG 4 (Quality Education) by supporting educational quality through teacher well-being, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration between higher education institutions and education practitioners in generating evidence-based educational research.