Effects of a cognitive-behavioral, school-based, group intervention with Mexican American pregnant and parenting adolescents

The authors evaluated a cognitive-behavioral school-based group intervention for Mexican American pregnant and parenting adolescent girls, using a randomized experimental design, pretest, posttest, and 30-day follow-up. Measurements were completed for 85 participants who were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. Standardized measures used included a subscale from the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, Short Form and subscales of the Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences. Data from school records also measured the students' grades and school attendance. At posttest, the young women who participated in the group intervention had statistically significantly better scores on all outcome measures. The differences between the two groups maintained at the 30-day follow-up. The cognitive-behavioral group intervention shows promise as an effective method for helping Mexican American pregnant and parenting adolescent mothers work toward high school graduation.