The Impact of Church-Based Premarital Counselling on Marriage Stability in Edo State

This study evaluates the impact of church-based premarital counselling programmes on marital stability among couples in Edo State, South South Nigeria. Rising divorce and separation rates, even within Christian communities, have intensified interest in the efficacy of pastoral premarital preparation. A descriptive correlational design is used, with data collected from 180 married couples drawn from fifteen churches across Benin City, Esan West, and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas. Questionnaires measure the content and duration of premarital counselling received and assess current levels of marital satisfaction, conflict resolution capacity, and commitment. Supplementary interviews are conducted with twenty pastoral counsellors. Findings indicate that couples who completed structured, multi-session premarital counselling programmes report significantly higher levels of marital satisfaction and more effective conflict management compared to those who received only brief pre-wedding blessings. The quality and training of the counsellor, the inclusion of communication and finance discussions, and the provision of post-wedding follow-up sessions emerge as the strongest predictors of positive marital outcomes. The study recommends the standardisation of premarital counselling curricula across denominations in Edo State and the mandatory training of pastoral counsellors in evidence-based counselling methods. Keywords: premarital counselling, marital stability, pastoral care, Edo State, church ministry