Promoting Healthy Minds and Bodies of Teenagers Through an Evidence-Based Intervention to Reduce Risky Behaviors and Promote Good Values

Risky behaviors like drug/alcohol use and sexual activity leading to STD's/HIV/AIDS are prevalent among Newark teenagers. This presentation:describes outcomes for high risk teenagers in an evidence-based Adolescent Family Life intervention that promote healthy minds/bodies by reducing risky behaviors/promoting good values; compares intervention teenagers with a comparison group. Methods: Pretest posttest design. Intervention(190 girls/193 boys)and comparison(97 girls/72 boys)participants from four intervention/five comparison schools. Intervention participants were randomly selected. Comparison participants were convenience sample. Schools were matched on demographic variables. Instruments:AFL Core and Demographic Questionnaires. Pearson Chi Square, Mann Whitney U statistics and .05 level of significance were used. The intervention, guided by Bandura's social learning theory,included sexuality discussions, mentoring, health/fitness classes, cultural events, community service, recognition. Post-test four findings:Significantly more intervention than comparison participants reported: bright future(p=.019);band/chorus participation(p=.001); important to remain abstinent(p=.001)/future spouse to remain abstinent(p=.003); abstinence is way to avoid STD's/pregnancy/health problems(p=.002). Significantly more comparison participants reported:friends who drink(p=.001)/tried marijuana/drugs (p<.001). Significantly more intervention girls reported:feel accepted(p=.005);bright future (p=.010). Significantly more comparison girls reported: friends who drink(p=.007)/tried marijuana/drugs (p<.001). Significantly more intervention boys reported:adults encourage them(p=.036);important to remain abstinent(p=.031);abstinence avoids STD's/pregnancy(p=.028). Significantly more comparison boys reported:friends who drink(p=.030)/tried marijuana/drugs(p=.014). Conclusions: Intervention participants have more significant outcomes related to less risky behaviors like drug/alcohol use and good values than comparison participants. Findings have implications for development of intervention programs for teenagers which promote healthy minds and bodies by reducing risky behaviors and promoting good values.