Effectiveness of the "Baby Think It Over" teen pregnancy prevention program.
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.
Somers
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Educational Psychology Dept., 345 College of Education, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. csomers@coe.wayne.edu
Fahlman
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D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D017145:Models, Educational; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States