Effective Psychoeducational Program Reduces Early Marriage Rates Among Adolescents in Densely Populated Areas

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FORMOSA NEWS

A psychoeducational program initiated by Alensi Alqomaria Yusafitri and Hikmah Husniyah Farhanindya from the University of August 17, 1945 Surabaya has proven effective in enhancing parents' and adolescents' understanding to prevent the risk of early marriage. Published in August 2026, this research is crucial given the high social vulnerability, school dropout cases, and lack of supervision over adolescent socialization in densely populated areas.

Background of the Problem

The phenomenon of early marriage in Neighborhood Unit (RW) X, PTM Village, is triggered by a lack of understanding of reproductive health, unrestricted interactions between the opposite sex, and social pressure resulting from unplanned pregnancies and school dropouts. A permissive environmental condition and parents' busyness in making a living make supervision of adolescents' social activities less than optimal.

Approach Method

The research team applied a combined qualitative and quantitative approach through observation, interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and questionnaires. This intervention involved 15 adolescents aged 14–16 years and 15 parents through thematic psychoeducational sessions focusing on adolescent developmental tasks, positive parenting styles, and assertive technique training to reject risky behaviors.

Key Research Findings

• Evaluations showed an increase in parents' understanding from an average pre-test score of 5.53 to 7.87 in the post-test, representing a 42.3% increase.
• Adolescents' cognitive aspect increased by 35.8% in understanding the risks of early marriage and recognizing self-characteristics.
• The affective aspect of adolescents surged by 52.8%, indicating a critical shift in attitude that early marriage is not a solution to life's problems.
• The conative aspect or behavioral tendency of adolescents increased by 29.2%, reflecting readiness in making more mature and responsible decisions.
• Overall, the average score of adolescent understanding increased from 49.33 to 68.41, representing a 38.7% rise.

Implications and Benefits

According to Alensi Alqomaria Yusafitri and Hikmah Husniyah Farhanindya, early marriage prevention must be carried out sustainably by involving synergy among adolescents, parents, and the social environment. The active involvement of families in applying positive parenting styles and building social skills has proven capable of fostering children's psychological readiness so they do not resort to marriage as an escape from problems.

Author Profile

Alensi Alqomaria Yusafitri and Hikmah Husniyah Farhanindya are graduates of the Professional Psychologist Education program from the University of August 17, 1945 Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, with areas of expertise focusing on clinical psychology, education, and community social intervention.

Research Source

• Article Title: Psychoeducation to Prevent Early Marriage in Neighborhood Unit X, PTM Village, Community Service Center
• Journal Name: International Journal of Education and Life Sciences (IJELS), Vol. 4, No. 8
• Publication Year: August 2026
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijels.v4i8.67