Strengthening Community-Based Islamic Premarital Guidance Through Participatory Action Research at KUA Sewon

Abstract

This study addresses the persistently high divorce rate in Indonesia, which reflects inadequate preparedness among prospective couples for marital life. Premarital guidance (Bimbingan Perkawinan) delivered by Religious Affairs Offices (Kantor Urusan Agama) is intended as a preventive intervention; however, its implementation often remains constrained by conventional instructional methods, low participant engagement, and the absence of systematic evaluation. This study aims to strengthen premarital guidance services at KUA Sewon, Bantul, through a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach involving KUA leaders, religious counselors, academics, and prospective couples. The research was conducted in two PAR cycles consisting of planning, action, observation, and reflection. Data were collected through pretest–posttest questionnaires, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation, and analyzed using paired-samples t-tests and thematic analysis supported by NVivo. The findings reveal a statistically significant improvement in participants’ knowledge, with an average gain score of 19 points (t(29) = −17.998, p < .001). Collaborative strategies, including digital flipbook-based learning, group discussions, simulations, and role plays, effectively enhanced participants’ understanding, active involvement, and satisfaction. Despite limitations related to time allocation, this study confirms that PAR-based premarital guidance improves service quality and offers a contextually relevant, community-based preventive approach to strengthening marital readiness and reducing divorce risk.