Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine if a community-based parenting intervention program would influence high school completion and parenting skills, and delay subsequent pregnancies among adolescent mothers.
Methods: Participants were 172 mothers recruited from predominantly low-income Hispanic families randomly assigned to a treatment or intervention group for parenting services. The treatment group received core and wrap around services, whereas the control group only received core services. Parenting perceptions were assessed using the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 and demographics using the Adolescent Family Life Core Instrument. Data were collected at baseline, 12 months and 18 months.
Results: To evaluate high school completion and subsequent pregnancies, descriptive statistics and χ² analyses were performed. Approximately 70% of participants completed high school by 18 months, however, no differences were noted by group. Although slightly more mothers in the control group had a subsequent birth, overall, only 15% of all mothers had a subsequent birth. To evaluate changes in parenting skills, a series of repeated measures ANOVAs were performed. Across all mothers, all parenting skill scores increased by 12 months. In two parenting areas, significant increases were found for control and intervention mothers, however, the gains were substantially higher for mothers in the intervention group.
Conclusion: Community-based partnership programs are integral to fostering parenting, academic achievement, and family planning.