Spiritual Bypass in Parenting: Implications for Silent Struggle and Adolescent Emotional Regulation in the Perspective of Islamic Psychology

Abstract

This study aims examines the concept of spiritual bypass in parenting through the lens of Islamic psychology, along with its implications for adolescents' silent struggle and emotional regulation. The research employs a qualitative literature review using a conceptual-analytical approach, aimed at exploring contemporary and original references pertaining to spiritual bypass, silent suffering, adolescent mental health, emotion regulation, and Islamic parenting. Based on the findings, spiritual bypassing in parenting frequently manifests through the interpretation of grief as an indicator of insufficient faith, the substitution of emotional support with hasty moral judgments, and the premature termination of emotionally meaningful conversations. Adolescents who encounter such parenting patterns tend to feel insecure about expressing their inner feelings within the home environment, thereby becoming inclined to suppress emotions such as fear, anger, and grief. Over time, these tendencies risk giving rise to silent struggle, a condition characterized by unreported and untreated psychological distress. The study further reveals that when adolescents are repeatedly discouraged from openly expressing their emotions, their capacity for emotion regulation gradually deteriorates. In contrast, Islamic psychology offers a more balanced framework by integrating reason, heart, and inner equilibrium, which naturally fosters self-regulating qualities grounded in gentleness and compassion. This article contends that effective Islamic parenting ought to incorporate rahmah and communicative empathy in responding to children's emotions, rather than employing spirituality as a mechanism of avoidance, so that religious guidance may serve as a source of healing rather than a barrier to emotional expression. Toward the end of the article, a set of practical recommendations is presented for families, educators, and counselors who work directly with Muslim adolescents.