1. Effectiveness of the "Baby Think It Over" teen pregnancy prevention program.
- Author
-
Somers CL and Fahlman MM
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Female, Humans, Male, Midwestern United States, Models, Educational, Multivariate Analysis, Pregnancy, Primary Prevention organization & administration, Program Evaluation, School Health Services organization & administration, Sexual Behavior psychology, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States, Adolescent Health Services organization & administration, Parenting psychology, Pregnancy in Adolescence prevention & control, Pregnancy in Adolescence psychology
- Abstract
In an effort to reduce teen pregnancy, schools are purchasing a program called "Baby Think It Over," a computerized infant simulator intended to provide a realistic infant care experience. However, little empirical, especially experimental, program effectiveness data exist. This study determined if the program changed participants' attitudes toward parenting, as well as sexual and contraceptive behaviors linked to avoidance of teen pregnancy. Development of measurement tools was a part of the purpose. The study also asked teen-agers, through narrative questions, about their conscious perceptions of the baby's utility and impact. Participants included experimental (n = 151) and control (n = 62) groups of primarily White, middle class, suburban high school' students (mean age = 16.2). The quasi-experimental portion of the study failed to reveal a statistically significant effect. Narrative data revealed several positive and notable program effects.
- Published
- 2001
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