Teenage Pregnancy

Allen, J. P., Kupermine, G., Philliber, S., & Herre, K. (1994). Programmatic prevention of adolescent problem behaviors: The role of autonomy, relatedness and volunteer service in the Teen Outreach Program. American Journal of Community Psychology, 22(5), 617-638.

One of several studies of the Teen Outreach Program (TOP), a school-based prevention program that links volunteer work to classroom discussions. Other studies' results include reduced pregnancy and drop-out rates varying between 15-50% over seven years of data for program participants relative to a comparison group. This study looks at whether certain aspects of a program affect its success. Program participants were young people identified as at risk for significant behavioral problems, and similar, non-participating selected from same sites for comparison. Self-report pre/post questionnaires were used to assess students' problem behaviors. In the 66 program sites studied, the promotion of autonomy and relatedness with peers was linked to lower level of problem behaviors in middle school sites while no difference was found in high school sites.

Allen, J. P., Philliber, S., & Hoggson, N. (1990). School-based prevention of teen-age pregnancy and school dropout: Process evaluation of the national replication of the Teen Outreach Program. American Journal of Community Psychology, 18(4), 505-524.

One of several studies of the Teen Outreach Program (TOP), a school-based prevention program that links volunteer work to classroom discussions. Other studies' results include reduced pregnancy and drop-out rates of 30-50% for program participants relative to comparison group over four years of data. This study looks at which program aspects seem to be most salient (what works best, for whom, under what conditions). Program participants were young people identified as at risk for significant behavioral problems, and similar non-participating were selected from the same sites for comparison. Self-report pre/post questionnaires were used to determine students' problem behaviors. In the 35 program sites studied, the program was found to be more successful with older students (above 10th grade) and when the service component was more intense. Also of note, the success of the program at preventing problem behaviors did not appear related to program participant gender or membership in a minority group. The helper-therapy and empowerment theories are discussed in connection to program success at preventing problem behavior.

Allen, J. P., Philliber, S., Herrling, S., & Kupermine, G. P. (1997). Preventing teen pregnancy and academic failure: Experimental evaluation of a developmentally based approach. Child Development, 68(4).

This experimental evaluation of the Teen Outreach Program utilizes random assignment of student program and control groups. This evaluation assesses the program's effectiveness at preventing teenage pregnancy and school failure. Students at 25 sites were evaluated at program entry and at the completion of the nine-month program. Rates of teen pregnancy, school failure, and academic suspension were substantially lower in program participants at program exit than students in control group, even after controlling for socioeconomic and other differences. These findings offer support for the Teen Outreach Program and other interventions that focus on broad youth development to help prevent risk behaviors in adolescents, rather than focusing on individual problem behaviors.

Hahn, A., Leavitt, T. & Aaron, P. (1994). Evaluation of the Quantum Opportunities Program (QOP). Did the program work? A report on the post secondary outcomes and cost-effectiveness of the QOP program (1989-1993). Massachusetts. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 385 621).

The Quantum Opportunities Program (QOP) is a year-round, multi-year, comprehensive service program for disadvantaged youth launched in five sites in 1989. The program combines education activities with development activities and service. At each site, adult mentors worked with groups of 25 students who received hourly stipends and bonuses for activities. The study included student surveys and subgroup comparisons. The evaluation showed that QOP participants, when compared to comparison students, were more likely to graduate from high school, go on to post secondary education, and take part in volunteer work and were less likely to become teen parents or be unemployed. These results were consistent over the five years of analysis. Program components highlighted as effective were caring mentors, early age of program participant initiation, sense of community, multiple services, inclusion of community-based activities, quality staff, financial resources and financial incentives. Cost benefit analysis showed that for every dollar spent in the program, $3.68 is gained.

Johns, M. J., Moncloa, F., & Gong, E. J. (2000). Teen pregnancy prevention programs: Linking research and practice. Journal of Extension, 38 (4). [On Line] Available: http://www.joe.org/joe/2000 august/a1.html.

This article looks at "best practices" from a literature review and field study of teen pregnancy prevention programs, connecting lessons learned to ways the Cooperative Extension Human Resource program can strengthen pregnancy prevention services in three urban California counties. The literature review highlights the complexity of adolescent pregnancy and variety of programs used to combat it (educational, contraception services, school-based health centers, youth development programs, and multi-component programs). Service-learning and youth development programs are highlighted as effective approaches for teen pregnancy prevention practitioners. Best practices were identified including involvement of family and other caring adults, male involvement, cultural relevance, community wide campaigns, programs to improve employment opportunities, sexuality education and AIDS education programs, outreach in teen pregnancy programs, and access to reproductive services.

Kirby, D. (2001). Emerging answers: Research findings on programs to reduce teen pregnancy. Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

This updated research review examines evaluation research on programs to prevent teen pregnancy featuring programs that encourage teens to remain abstinent or use contraception when they have sex. The review examines over 250 prevention program evaluations that were selected based on criterion for quality research. The review concludes that "service-learning programs may have the strongest evidence of any intervention that they reduce actual teen pregnancy rates while the youth are participating in the program. Among the programs with the best evidence of effectiveness are the Teen Outreach Program