MOTIVASI PENGGUNA PINJAMAN ONLINEPADA KARYAWAN DENGAN GAJI UMR YANG SUDAH TERJEBAK DALAM MEKANISME GALI LUBANG TUTUP LUBANG

Abstract

The development of financial technology has increased public access to online loans, which offer convenience and rapid fund disbursement. For employees earning an income equivalent to the Regional Minimum Wage (UMR), limited income and high living expenses make online loans an immediate solution in times of financial difficulty. However, such convenience can lead to entrapment in the “borrowing to repay” cycle, in which new loans are used to repay previous ones. This study aims to understand the motivations behind online loan use among UMR-earning employees trapped in this cycle and to explore their subjective experiences and psychological dynamics. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. The participants were UMR-earning employees in Yogyakarta who had experience using online loans and becoming trapped in the borrowing-to-repay cycle. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation, and analyzed using Moustakas’ phenomenological model. The findings indicate that initial online loan use was driven by urgent needs, such as healthcare expenses, household necessities, and crisis situations. Over time, usage developed into psychological compulsion due to collection pressure, penalties, and concerns about social consequences. This condition resulted in stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, insecurity, and decreased self-esteem. Participants perceived the experience as a loss of control over their financial circumstances and personal lives. These findings indicate that online loan use is not merely a financial issue but also a psychological concern relevant to the context of Guidance and Counseling.