Interpersonal Communication as a Da’wah Strategy for Adolescent Behavioral Change in Urban Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/pal.v11i1.10091Keywords:
interpersonal communication, da'wah, adolescent behavioral change, youth mentoring, urban IndonesiaAbstract
This study investigates the role of interpersonal communication as a da’wah strategy for promoting positive behavioral change among adolescents in an urban Indonesian community. The study addresses three research questions: how interpersonal communication is implemented in youth mentoring activities, how it contributes to adolescent behavioral change, and what factors influence its effectiveness. A qualitative approach using Participatory Action Research (PAR) was employed in RW 09 Pisangan Baru, East Jakarta, Indonesia. Participants included adolescents, Community Service Program (KKS) students from Al-Aqidah Al-Hasyimiyyah Islamic Institute Jakarta, community leaders, and religious figures. Data were collected through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that interpersonal communication was implemented through five key forms: face-to-face interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, sustained interaction, conflict resolution, and feedback processes. These communication practices facilitated trust-building, emotional closeness, adolescent participation, and engagement in community-based activities. The study also identified several supporting factors, including community support and adolescent openness, as well as inhibiting factors such as educational differences, socioeconomic challenges, and negative environmental influences. The findings demonstrate that interpersonal communication functions not merely as a channel for transmitting religious messages but as a relational mechanism that fosters meaningful engagement and positive behavioral development among adolescents. The study contributes to the integration of interpersonal communication and da’wah scholarship while providing practical insights for educators, religious leaders, and community practitioners seeking to address adolescent behavioral challenges through relationship-centered interventions.
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