PROMOTING HEALTHY MINDS AND BODIES OF TEENAGERS THROUGH AN EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION TO REDUCE RISKY BEHAVIORS AND PROMOTE GOOD VALUES Kathleen Sternas, Ph.D, RN, Mary Ann Scharf, Ed.D, RN, Seton Hall University, College of Nursing, South Orange, N. J., RoseMarie Peterkin, MAT, Friends and Families United Inc. Newark, N. J., Janet Summerly, MSN, RN, Seton Hall University, College of Nursing, South Orange, N. J.

Acknowledgements This research study was funded by an Adolescent Family Life, Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Grant, Dept. of Health & Human Services

Purpose This presentation describes: 1) outcomes for high risk teenagers in an evidenced- based Adolescent Family Life intervention that promotes healthy minds and bodies by reducing risky behaviors, promoting good values; and 2) compares intervention teenagers with a comparison group of teenagers who did not receive the intervention. This presentation describes: 1) outcomes for high risk teenagers in an evidenced- based Adolescent Family Life intervention that promotes healthy minds and bodies by reducing risky behaviors, promoting good values; and 2) compares intervention teenagers with a comparison group of teenagers who did not receive the intervention.

There are high rates of risky behaviors among adolescents which affect health (Marti, Stice & Springer, 2010; Schinke, Schwinn &Fang, 2010). There are high rates of risky behaviors among adolescents which affect health (Marti, Stice & Springer, 2010; Schinke, Schwinn &Fang, 2010). Background

Risky Behaviors Risky behaviors like drug and alcohol use, smoking, and sexual activity leading to STD’s, HIV/AIDS, and teen pregnancy are prevalent among Newark teenagers. Risky behaviors like drug and alcohol use, smoking, and sexual activity leading to STD’s, HIV/AIDS, and teen pregnancy are prevalent among Newark teenagers. Risky behaviors affect health ( Sandfort et. al, 2008; Weed et. al, 2008).

Literature Review Illicit Drug Use In 2007, an estimated 19.9 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) users of an illicit drug. Illicit Drug Use -- In 2007, an estimated 19.9 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) users of an illicit drug. TobaccoUse In 2007, an estimated 70.9 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) users of a tobacco product. TobaccoUse -- In 2007, an estimated 70.9 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) users of a tobacco product. Alcohol UseSlightly more than half of Americans aged 12 or older reported being current drinkers of alcohol in a 2007 survey (51.1%). The rate of current alcohol use among youth aged 12 to 17 was 15.9% in Alcohol Use-- Slightly more than half of Americans aged 12 or older reported being current drinkers of alcohol in a 2007 survey (51.1%). The rate of current alcohol use among youth aged 12 to 17 was 15.9% in From

STD’s The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2008) reported nearly 3.2 million girls, ages 14 to 19, is infected with an STD.The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2008) reported nearly 3.2 million girls, ages 14 to 19, is infected with an STD. African American girls are at higher risk. Chlamydia rates among adolescent girls is up by 1.8 % in 2009, and African Americans represent 48% of all new cases of Chlamydia and 71% of all new cases of gonorrhea (CDC, 2009).African American girls are at higher risk. Chlamydia rates among adolescent girls is up by 1.8 % in 2009, and African Americans represent 48% of all new cases of Chlamydia and 71% of all new cases of gonorrhea (CDC, 2009).

HIV and STD Rates For Teenagers in New Jersey Incidence of HIV among y.o. 1998: :11.8 Incidence of chlamydia, females y.o. 1998: : Incidence of gonorrhea, females y.o. 1998: : Incidence of syphilis: 1998: :2.0 Per 100,000 of the population

Teenage Pregnancy The U.S. has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births of all developed nations. The teen birth rate per 1000 girls aged in 2006 in the US was 41.9 (National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 2009). The U.S. has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births of all developed nations. The teen birth rate per 1000 girls aged in 2006 in the US was 41.9 (National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 2009).

Birth Rates For Teenagers in NJ The teen birth rate per 1000 girls aged in 2006 in New Jersey was Birth rates for females years old in NJ declined from 0.6 in 1998 to 0.5 in Birth rates for Black females years old in NJ declined from 2.3 in 1998 to 1.5 in The number of births to Black females aged in Essex County declined from 22 in 2000 to 7 in 2005.

Teenage Pregnancy Teenage mothers are more likely to: -drop out of school -live in poverty -remain unmarried -have children who are at risk for growing up poor and experiencing neglect, and not finishing school themselves.

Theoretical Framework and Intervention The intervention is guided by Bandura’s Social Learning Theory. The intervention is guided by Bandura’s Social Learning Theory. The intervention has a seven component curriculum which is implemented in schools that provides support, role models and education on delaying sex, and avoiding risky behaviors. The intervention has a seven component curriculum which is implemented in schools that provides support, role models and education on delaying sex, and avoiding risky behaviors.

Intervention The intervention includes: 1) group sexuality discussions; 2) mentoring; 3) role modeling; 4) health and fitness classes; 5) cultural events; 6) community service; 7) and a recognition ceremony. The intervention includes: 1) group sexuality discussions; 2) mentoring; 3) role modeling; 4) health and fitness classes; 5) cultural events; 6) community service; 7) and a recognition ceremony. Activities provide supportive relationships, positive peer pressure, counseling, sexuality information and health lessons. Activities provide supportive relationships, positive peer pressure, counseling, sexuality information and health lessons.

Design: Pretest post-test design. Sample/Setting: Four intervention schools (n=190 girls; 193 boys ) and five comparison schools (n= 97 girls; 72 boys) participated. Participants were 6 th, 7 th, 8 th graders primarily of African American ethnicity. Intervention participants were randomly selected. Comparison participants were a convenience sample who did not receive the intervention. Comparison and Intervention schools were matched on demographic variables (grade level, ethnicity, socioeconomic status). Design: Pretest post-test design. Sample/Setting: Four intervention schools (n=190 girls; 193 boys ) and five comparison schools (n= 97 girls; 72 boys) participated. Participants were 6 th, 7 th, 8 th graders primarily of African American ethnicity. Intervention participants were randomly selected. Comparison participants were a convenience sample who did not receive the intervention. Comparison and Intervention schools were matched on demographic variables (grade level, ethnicity, socioeconomic status). Methods Methods

Instruments Instruments -Adolescent Family Life Core Baseline/Follow-up Questionnaires -Demographic Questionnaire Paper and pencil administration of the questionnaires was done by trained staff Paper and pencil administration of the questionnaires was done by trained staff. Statistical Analyses Pearson Chi Square, Mann Whitney U statistical tests and a.05 level of significance were used. Pearson Chi Square, Mann Whitney U statistical tests and a.05 level of significance were used. Instruments and Analyses

Results Demographic Characteristics - 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade high risk girls and boys primarily of African American ethnicity from impoverished environments with high unemployment - 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade high risk girls and boys primarily of African American ethnicity from impoverished environments with high unemployment - single parent households - single parent households -violence in the community -violence in the community

Results Intervention vs Comparison Participants Post-Test IV Results: Significantly more intervention than comparison participants reported: a bright future (p =.019); band/ chorus participation (p =.001); important to remain abstinent (p =.001) and for future spouse to remain abstinent (p =.003); abstinence is the only way to avoid STD’s, pregnancy and other health problems (p=.002).

Results: Comparison vs Intervention Participants Post-Test IV Findings: Significantly more comparison than intervention participants reported: having friends who drink (p=.001)/ tried marijuana/other drugs (p<.001).

Post-Test IV Findings: Significantly more intervention girls than comparison girls reported: feeling accepted (p=.005); and a bright future (p =.010). Post-Test IV Findings: Significantly more intervention girls than comparison girls reported: feeling accepted (p=.005); and a bright future (p =.010). Results: Intervention vs Comparison Girls

Results: Comparison vs Intervention Girls Post-Test IV Findings: Significantly more comparison than intervention girls reported: having friends who drink (p=.007)/ tried marijuana/other drugs (p<.001).

Results: Intervention vs Comparison Boys Post-Test IV Findings: Significantly more intervention boys than comparison boys reported: adults encourage them (p=.036); important to remain abstinent (p =.031); abstinence is the only way to avoid STD’s, pregnancy and other health problems (p=.028).Post-Test IV Findings: Significantly more intervention boys than comparison boys reported: adults encourage them (p=.036); important to remain abstinent (p =.031); abstinence is the only way to avoid STD’s, pregnancy and other health problems (p=.028).

Results: Comparison vs Intervention Boys Post-Test IV Findings: Significantly more comparison than intervention boys reported: having friends who drink (p=.030)/ tried marijuana/other drugs (p<.014).

Conclusions Intervention participants have more significant outcomes related to less risky behaviors like drug/alcohol use, and good values like positive abstinence behaviors/attitudes than comparison participants. Findings suggest the intervention reduces risky behaviors like using drugs and promotes abstinence. Abstinence attitudes and behaviors help prevent teenage pregnancy, STD’s and other health problems, thereby promoting adolescent health.

Implications Findings have implications for the development of intervention programs for teenagers which promote healthy minds and bodies by reducing risky behaviors and promoting good values. Findings have implications for the development of intervention programs for teenagers which promote healthy minds and bodies by reducing risky behaviors and promoting good values.