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Predicting Social Cohesion in Pluralistic Societies: The Interplay Between Religious Moderation, Empathy, and Tolerance Using Structural Equation Modeling

Jurnal Ilmiah Islam Futura · Vol. 26 No. 2 (2026) · pp. 805–836

DOI
10.22373/jiif.v26i2.35230
ISSN
2407-7542, 1412-1190
Published
2026-08-31
Publisher
Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between religious moderation, empathy, tolerance, and social cohesion among Islamic secondary school students in pluralistic educational environments. Conducted in Pesawaran Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia, a heterogeneous area shaped by transmigration and characterized by ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity, the study employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 100 students selected through stratified random sampling using a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4 was used to evaluate the measurement and structural models. The results demonstrated positive and statistically significant associations between all three explanatory variables and social cohesion. Religious moderation (β = 0.399, p < 0.001) and empathy (β = 0.397, p < 0.001) exhibited closely comparable path coefficients, while tolerance also showed a significant positive association (β = 0.311, p < 0.001). Together, these variables explained 77.2% of the variance in social cohesion (R² = 0.772). The cross-sectional design and the focus on students in one regency limit causal inference and the generalizability of the findings. Future research may employ longitudinal designs and incorporate additional factors, such as social media exposure, parenting practices, and school leadership. By examining religious moderation alongside psychosocial dimensions within a single structural model, this study contributes empirical evidence to the literature on Islamic education and social cohesion. The findings highlight the relevance of integrating religious values, empathy, and tolerance in fostering harmonious relationships within pluralistic educational settings.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

15 authors · 27 co-authorship links · 1 across different organisations

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • Hasanuddin University
  • Universitas Gadjah Mada
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
La TaenaAffiliation unknown1
Hafied CangaraHasanuddin University1
Ikhlas WahidAffiliation unknown1
Khairaddaraini KhairaddarainiAffiliation unknown1
Mulyadi MulyadiAffiliation unknown1
Teguh Bharata AdjiUniversitas Gadjah Mada1
Noor Akhmad SetiawanAffiliation unknown1
Jazimatul HusnaAffiliation unknown1
Imilia IbrahimAffiliation unknown1
Yuli RohmiyatiAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/islamfutura/oai, first harvested 6 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Predicting Social Cohesion in Pluralistic Societies: The Interplay Between Religious Moderation, Empathy, and Tolerance Using Structural Equation Modeling</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Ansori, Muhamad</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Wijaya, Adi </dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Aminudin S, Muh. Dzihab </dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Safitri, Ani </dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Khomsinnudin, Khomsinnudin</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Religious Moderation</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Empathy</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Tolerance</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Social Cohesion</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Madrasah Aliyah</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">PLS-SEM</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This study examines the relationships between religious moderation, empathy, tolerance, and social cohesion among Islamic secondary school students in pluralistic educational environments. Conducted in Pesawaran Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia, a heterogeneous area shaped by transmigration and characterized by ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity, the study employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 100 students selected through stratified random sampling using a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4 was used to evaluate the measurement and structural models. The results demonstrated positive and statistically significant associations between all three explanatory variables and social cohesion. Religious moderation (β = 0.399, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and empathy (β = 0.397, p &amp;lt; 0.001) exhibited closely comparable path coefficients, while tolerance also showed a significant positive association (β = 0.311, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Together, these variables explained 77.2% of the variance in social cohesion (R² = 0.772). The cross-sectional design and the focus on students in one regency limit causal inference and the generalizability of the findings. Future research may employ longitudinal designs and incorporate additional factors, such as social media exposure, parenting practices, and school leadership. By examining religious moderation alongside psychosocial dimensions within a single structural model, this study contributes empirical evidence to the literature on Islamic education and social cohesion. The findings highlight the relevance of integrating religious values, empathy, and tolerance in fostering harmonious relationships within pluralistic educational settings.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-08-31</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/islamfutura/article/view/35230</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.22373/jiif.v26i2.35230</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Jurnal Ilmiah Islam Futura; Vol. 26 No. 2 (2026): Jurnal Ilmiah Islam Futura; 805-836</dc:source>
	<dc:source xml:lang="id">Islam Futura; Vol 26 No 2 (2026): Jurnal Ilmiah Islam Futura; 805-836</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2407-7542</dc:source>
	<dc:source>1412-1190</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.22373/jiif.v262</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/islamfutura/article/view/35230/13597</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2026 Muhamad Ansori, Adi  Wijaya, Muh. Dzihab  Aminudin S, Ani  Safitri, Khomsinnudin Khomsinnudin</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0</dc:rights>
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