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Effectiveness of the “Baby Think It Over” Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program
Author(s) -
Somers Cheryl L.,
Fahlman Mariane M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2001.tb07314.x
Subject(s) - purchasing , narrative , pregnancy , teen pregnancy , psychology , program evaluation , developmental psychology , medicine , social psychology , population , environmental health , engineering , philosophy , linguistics , operations management , public administration , biology , political science , genetics
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.