Title: Project Redirection: making and measuring a difference.

POPLINE Document Number: 075640

Author(s):

Quint JC

Source citation:

ADVANCES IN ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, 1990;4:137-57.

Abstract:

Between 1980-86, a comprehensive program for disadvantaged adolescent mothers =or< 17 years old, designed to increase their self-esteem and skills leading to use of available social services and ultimately self-sufficiency, operated in community agencies in Boston, Massachusetts; Harlem in New York City; Phoenix, Arizona; and Riverside, California. Services were workshops, group and individual counseling, recreational activities, transportation assistance, child care, and activities with community women who acted as confidants and mentors. Topics of the workshops and counseling sessions included employability development, health, education, and life management. Each participant, her community woman, and program staff outlined an Individual Participant Plan based on her strengths and needs. The project did not duplicate services already existing in the community and referred the young mothers too those services as needed. The impact analysis showed the participants exhibited continuity and change over time. After 5 years, they were more likely to be economically self-sufficient (mean weekly earnings, $68 vs. $45, p<.1; Aid to Families with Dependent Children recipients, 49% vs. 59%) and had better parenting skills (mean home environment score 44 vs. 40, p<.001) than nonparticipants. According to the Behavior Problem Index, children of participants exhibited much better behavior than those of nonparticipants (score 50 vs. 20, p<.001). On the other hand, the project did not result in better educational attainment. Participants had the same percentage of young women who had a diploma or GED after 5 years as did nonparticipants (48%). In addition, 73% experienced at least 1 subsequent birth within the 5 years after participation. Participants had more children than nonparticipants (2.4 vs. 2, p<.01) mainly because they chose not to terminate their pregnancies. Perhaps this occurred because they received immediate emotional rewards from parenting. 66% of participants were not working and 49% received public assistance at the time of the 5-year interview. Mean annual household income was only $8844 for an average household of >4 members.

Keywords:

United States
Massachusetts
New York
Arizona
California
Methodological Studies
Follow-Up Studies
Comparative Studies
Study Design
Program Evaluation
Adolescent Pregnancy
Parenting Education
School Age Population
Low Income Population
Educational Status
Mothers
Employment Status
Public Assistance
Community Participation
Child Rearing
Child Development
Family Planning
Abortion
Program Effectiveness
Workshops
Women
North America
Americas
Developed Countries
Studies
Research Methodology
Programs
Organization and Administration
Reproductive Behavior
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Education
Population Characteristics
Social Class
Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Parents
Family Relationships
Family Characteristics
Family and Household
Financing, Government
Financial Activities
Behavior
Biology
Fertility Control, Postconception