Short-term effects of teenage parenting programs on knowledge and attitudes

Abstract

The short-term effects of teenage parenting programs upon the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant teenagers were assessed. The programs studied produced a significant change in the teenagers' knowledge of sexuality and child development while having no apparent effect on the teenagers' parenting attitudes. The implications of producing changes in knowledge without accompanying changes in attitudes are discussed.

PIP: This study evaluated the short-term impact of parenting programs that included family living and parenting education on teenagers' knowledge and attitudes. It is expected that school-based programs will have a positive effect upon the teenagers' knowledge levels. Subjects were recruited from 3 scattered, urban teenage parenting programs in Arizona. Each was part of the local school system and an alternative to attending classes with nonpregnant peers. Courses were given in family living and parenting/child development. The goals were to help the teenagers control their fertility and help them become better parents. The average age of the 31 subjects was 16.1 years; the average grade level was 10.9; the ethnic breakdown was 10% black, 42% Hispanic and 48% white. The Maternal Attitude Scale was designed to measure emotional responses to various aspects of mother-child interaction. 3 subscales used were: 1) maternal satisfaction versus feelings of depletion and hostility; 2) encouragement of positive interaction versus hostility toward children; and 3) maternal anxiety. The pretest and posttest scores showed significant increases in knowledge of child development and human reproduction. However, there were no significant changes from pretest to posttest in the attitude scores for the 3 scales.