Clergy Beliefs,Preparation,and Practice in Premarital Counseling

Reports data gathered from a national sample of clergy (N = 231) pertaining to their beliefs, practices, and training in premarital counseling (PMC). Notes that 94% of the clergy agreed that PMC should be required of all couples prior to marriage, and nearly 100% of the sample clergy provided PMC to couples they married. Points out that approximately 50% of clergy received no academic training in PMC, leaving 50% providing such services without having been trained in premarital counseling.