Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117687

Megan Williams, MSW, MSPH¹, Olivia Silber Ashley, DrPH¹, Jennifer Manlove, PhD², Kellie Loomis, MS¹, Barbara Cohen, BA³, and Susan Moskosky, MS, RNC³. (1) Behavioral Health Research Division, RTI International, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (919) 541-6427, osilber@rti.org, (2) Child Trends, 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20008, (3) Office of Population Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Tower Building at Tower Oaks, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 700, Rockville, MD 20852

Parent-child communication, parental monitoring, and other aspects of parent involvement have been shown to delay adolescent sexual initiation; decrease rates of adolescent premarital sexual activity, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and childbearing; and reduce sexual risk behaviors. Parents also provide important support for pregnant or parenting adolescents. This project examined outreach and intervention strategies used by Title X Family Planning and Title XX Adolescent Family Life programs to involve parents and families, with a focus on improving communication between parents and adolescents about sexuality. To assess parent involvement strategies, the study involves a literature review of evidenced-based strategies, a review of program reports from Title X and Title XX providers, and site visits to 15 programs to conduct interviews with key staff. Our literature review identified 25 studies of the effectiveness of parent involvement strategies; of these, 13 were randomized controlled trials. Seven parent involvement strategies were identified: home-based videos, parent-only workshops with a separate adolescent program, joint parent-adolescent attendance at workshops, homework assignments, parent-only training with no adolescent program, grassroots community organizing, and combinations of multiple approaches. The studies found improved outcomes for adolescents and parents. Our review of program reports showed that evidence-based strategies are being implemented or adapted, but generating and maintaining parent interest and involvement is a challenge. It is anticipated that results from site visits will further specify barriers to parent involvement, as well as identify promising practices. Overall, this project will yield important guidance for implementing parent involvement strategies across additional program settings.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify evidence-based parent involvement strategies from the literature on adolescent reproductive health and parenting
• Articulate challenges to involving parents in reproductive health and parenting programs serving adolescents
• Discuss promising practices for involving parents across program settings

Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.