Pathways Teen Mother Support Project: Longitudinal findings

Abstract

This article reports the outcomes for the Pathways Teen Mother Support Project, a randomized field trial of an intensive intervention for low income pregnant and parenting teens in a four-county area of rural South Carolina. 107 treatment group and 90 control group teens were recruited from a variety of sources and randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions, with the treatment group receiving services including case management, support groups, family group decision making, life skills education and training, leadership development, and related services over 24 months. The project's goals were to a) reduce repeat pregnancies; b) increase school retention and graduation; c) reduce substance use; and d) improve well-being. Data were collected at baseline and 6-month intervals over the course of the intervention and were analyzed through mixed effects analysis of variance. The results showed that, compared to the control group, treatment group teens had fewer pregnancies; performed better academically and graduated at higher rates; reduced their marijuana use; were less impulsive; improved their problem solving beliefs; and had more social support, especially from family members. These findings hold promise for designing and implementing community interventions to support pregnant and parenting teens, particularly in rural communities.