Removing the mystery: evaluation of a parent manual by adolescent parents

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to (1) have adolescents evaluate a parent manual that had been developed specifically for parents of children from birth to age 3, and (2) modify the manual based upon the results of the evaluation. The manual was designed to be easily read and understood by parents with low education levels, the focus being to promote quality parent-child interactions. The study was designed to determine the usability of the manual by gathering information pertaining to format, readability, and content. Participants were between 14 and 18 years of age and were enrolled in a high school program for teenage mothers. Both written and verbal responses were collected and a qualitative approach was used to analyze the data. Results showed that overall comments about the manual were favorable; the manual was readable and usable by adolescent mothers of young children. However, responses indicated that the manual may not have been as relevant for adolescents expecting their first child. They suggested including more basic child-care information instead of primarily focusing on typical development and parent-child interactions. Participant recommendations were considered and the manual was revised.

PIP: US adolescent mothers generally demonstrate limited knowledge about child development and parenting and, as a result, may be at risk of abusing or neglecting their child. Educational materials prepared for adolescent parents have the potential to impart the information and skills necessary to create a nurturing home environment in which a child can develop. The format, content, and readability of a manual on parenting children from birth to 3 years of age were evaluated through interviews with 13 female adolescents 14-18 years of age (average age, 16.8 years) enrolled in a high school program for teen mothers. The manual, which was designed for parents with low levels of literacy, described developmental milestones and suggested examples of age-appropriate parent-child interactions. Overall, the adolescents indicated the manual was simple to follow and understand. However, three of the four young women included in the survey who had not yet delivered considered the manual too long and boring. Comments from teens who had already had their child were favorable. They suggested the inclusion in the manual of information on basic caretaking skills such as diapering and discipline and on postpartum depression. Most of the teenagers favored use of the manual as a resource for group discussion rather than as an independent learning tool--a finding that may reflect their social isolation and need for social support.