Comic reading as a tool for improving mental health and English language proficiency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71028/jescs.v3i3.110Kata Kunci:
mental health, English learning, vocabulary development, visual literacy, emotional engagementAbstrak
This study aims to explore the role of comic reading in improving mental health and enhancing English language learning among students and young readers. Comics are increasingly recognized as educational and psychological tools because they combine visual narratives, contextual language, and emotional expression in an engaging format. The study employs a qualitative document review method by analysing journal articles, books, and previous studies related to comics, mental well-being, and English language acquisition. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and thematic analysis to identify the educational and psychological benefits of comic reading. The findings reveal that comics contribute positively to readers’ mental health by reducing stress, increasing motivation, and fostering emotional connection through relatable stories and characters. In language learning, comics help improve vocabulary mastery, reading comprehension, speaking confidence, and contextual understanding of English expressions. The visual support provided in comics also assists learners in understanding meaning more effectively and maintaining learning interest. In conclusion, comics serve not only as entertainment media but also as valuable resources for supporting emotional well-being and developing English language skills. The study suggests that educators integrate comics into language learning activities to create more enjoyable and meaningful learning experiences.
Unduhan
Referensi
Brandt, I., Somé, S., Millogo, O., Sourabié, O., Burns, J., Shinde, S., Haucke, M., Sivewright, N., Neumann, C., Bajaria, S., Napon, K., Dah, C., Taonda, M., Siegel, J., Sando, M., Bärnighausen, T., Sié, A., & Liu, S. (2025). Effectiveness of a comic book intervention on mental health literacy among adolescents and youth in Burkina Faso: a randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Public Health, 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21325-2.
Bugtong, M., Milio, Z., Canuto, P., Lumidao, Y., Lumecio, D., Choycawen, M., & Bando, D. (2025). English Comics As Reading Materials And Intervention In Improving Students’ Reading Comprehension. Problems of Education in the 21st Century. https://doi.org/10.33225/pec/25.83.480.
Clark, E. (2017). Are Comics Effective Materials For Teaching Ells? A Literature Review On Graphic Media For L2 Instruction. IJAEDU- International E-Journal of Advances in Education, 3, 298-309. https://doi.org/10.18768/ijaedu.336260.
Diaspita, Nasution, I., Sebayang, V. A., Saragih, E., & Priyatno, A. (2026). Comic strips as learning media in high school art education: A qualitative study. International Journal of Culture and Art Studies, 10(1), 56–62. https://doi.org/10.32734/ijcas.v10i1.24065
Eisner, W. (2008). Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative. W.W. Norton & Company. Gorman, L. (2010). Comics and Language: A Linguistic Approach. Palgrave Macmillan.
Farinella, Matteo. (2018). The potential of comics in science communication. Journal of Science Communication. 17. Y01. 10.22323/2.17010401.
Fitriyanti, N., Bahri, B. S., & Kristanto, A. (2023). Comics As Instructional Media in Education Journals Across Indonesia: A Systematic Literature Review. Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan : Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengembangan Pembelajaran, 8(1), 84–93. https://doi.org/10.33394/jtp.v8i1.6059
Flores-González, N., Flores, V., & Hernández, M. (2024). The Influence of E-Comics on English Lexical Competence in Virtual Higher Education. IAFOR Journal of Education. https://doi.org/10.22492/ije.12.2.07.
Habeahan, E. (2025). Using English Comics To Teach Reading In Efl Classrooms. ELTR Journal. https://doi.org/10.37147/eltr.v9i1.231.
Hanum, H. H., & Rezania, V. (2026). Digital Comic Development for Elementary Social Studies Learning Outcomes: Pengembangan Komik Digital untuk Hasil Pembelajaran Mata Pelajaran Sosial di Sekolah Dasar. Indonesian Journal of Education Methods Development, 20(1), 10.21070/ijemd.v20i1.1026. https://doi.org/10.21070/ijemd.v20i1.1026
Krashen, S. D. (1985). The Input Hypothesis: Issues and Implications. Longman.
Liu, J. (2004). Effects of Comic Strips on L2 Learners’ Reading Comprehension. TESOL Quarterly, 38(2), 225-243.
Maatman, T., Minshew, L., & Braun, M. (2021). Increase in Sharing of Stressful Situations by Medical Trainees through Drawing Comics. The Journal of Medical Humanities, 43, 467 - 473. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10912-021-09717-y.
Mazowita, A. (2021). Graphic Communities: Comics as Visual and Virtual Resources for Self- and Collective Care. The Comics Grid: Journal of Comics Scholarship. https://doi.org/10.16995/cg.6493.
McCloud, S. (1993). Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. HarperCollins.
McNicol, S. (2014). Comics and Mental Health: A Survey of Comic Use in Libraries to Support Mental Health Literacy. Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics, 5(2), 143-156.
Miller, J. (2017). The Superhero in Trauma Recovery: Examining Identification and Empowerment Through Superhero Narratives. Journal of Psychological Studies, 12(3), 89- 101.
Nafisa, Z., Safitri, A., Amin, M., Rakhmawati, R., & Mukhayatin, Y. (2021). Using Comics as A Learning Media to Improve EFL Vocabulary: MAN 1 Lamongan Students’ Perspectives. Edulitics (Education, Literature, and Linguistics) Journal. https://doi.org/10.52166/edulitics.v6i1.2658.
Pazaer, N., & Assaiqeli, A. (2023). Pre-service teachers' views on using English comics to improve pupils' English language skills. Studies in English Language and Education. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v10i1.21836.
Postema, B., & Flowers, J. (2026). Comics is a Multimodal Art Form. In M. Lund (Ed.), Comics is... : Debating the Subject of Comics Studies (pp. 71-84). (Palgrave Studies in Comics and Graphic Novels). Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-09948-8_5
Ramlan, R., & Aziz, A. (2025). Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition Among Year 4 Esl Learners Through Chatgpt-Assisted Comic Creation. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling. https://doi.org/10.35631/ijepc.1058009.
Rasamimanana, M., Mizzi, R., Melmi, J. B., Saffi, S., & Colé, P. (2025). Is Comprehension in Comics More Effective Than in Traditional Texts in Skilled Adult Readers? An Eye Movement-Based Study. Cognitive science, 49(7), e70081. https://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.70081
Schwarz, G. E. (2006). Expanding Literacies through Graphic Novels. English Journal, 95(6), 58-64.
Shimazaki, T., Iio, M., Uechi, H., & Takenaka, K. (2021). Emotional experiences of reading health educational manga encouraging behavioral changes: a non-randomized controlled trial. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 9, 398 - 421. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2021.1921583.
Sinervo, K., & Freedman, A. (2021). Feeling your pain: empathy in comics. Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics, 13, 554 - 570. https://doi.org/10.1080/21504857.2021.1951786.
Sutherland, T., Choi, D., & Yu, C. (2020). “Brought to life through imagery” – animated graphic novels to promote empathic, patient-centred care in postgraduate medical learners. BMC Medical Education, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02491-4.
Syahid, A., & Khoirotunnisa, U. (2021). Online English Comics as Reading Materials for English Language Education Department Students. European Journal of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu- jer.10.3.1359.
Themelis, C., & Sime, J. (2020). Comics for inclusive, technology-enhanced language learning.
Vita, R., , L., Wahyuni, S., Rosida, S., & Zahra, P. (2023). Comic Strip: a Media to Teach English. JOLADU: Journal of Language Education. https://doi.org/10.58738/joladu.v1i3.202.
Wahyuni, E., Wajdi, M., Susanto, B., Sanjaya, I., & Sahoo, P. (2025). The dual benefits of comic reading: Enhancing mental health and language learning. Journal of Language, Literature, Social and Cultural Studies. https://doi.org/10.58881/jllscs.v3i2.342.
Wicaksono, D. (2023). The Students’ Views On The Use Of Comic In Teaching And Learning English. Journey: Journal of English Language and Pedagogy. https://doi.org/10.33503/journey.v6i2.3311.
Wittig, C. (2024). Exploring comics in a performative way: How children use language, body, voice, and things in panel readings. L1-Educational Studies in Language and Literature, 24(3). https://doi.org/10.21248/l1esll.2024.24.3.625
Yusuf, Yuzaila & Mohd Rashid, Syar & Nordin, Mohd & Yahya, Siti. (2025). Educational Comics As A Visual Medium: Potentials And Implications For Pupils With Learning Disabilities. International Journal of Modern Education. 7. 25. 10.35631/IJMOE.728004.
Zagkotas, V. (2025). Comics as Pedagogical Tools for Developing Emotional Intelligence in Primary Education: Theory, Practices, and Classroom Applications. Journal of Integrated Social Sciences and Humanities. https://doi.org/10.62836/jissh.v2i1.398.
Zeng, Y. (2025). Study on Optimal Input Forms in Second Language Acquisition from the Perspective of Krashens Input Hypothesis. Communications in Humanities Research. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7064/2025.bo23961.
Diterbitkan
Cara Mengutip
Terbitan
Bagian
Lisensi
Hak Cipta (c) 2026 Zanyar Nathir Ghafar, Omar Mohammad-Ameen Ahmad Hazaymeh, Yusuf Sarkingobir, Abu Bakar Muhammad Diko, Majid Wajdi
Artikel ini berlisensi Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
(c) by Author(s)
