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Families' experiences with Oregon Healthy StartKapsch, Marybeth M. 12 December 2001 (has links)
This study utilized a qualitative approach to explore how Healthy Start home
visiting services affect participants' parenting and lives in general. The purpose of
this study was to explore both the intended and unintended outcomes of Healthy
Start, using the theory of transformative learning. This theory postulates that
through education individuals examine their thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. This
self-examination results in changes in self-perception that can impact lives in many
unexpected ways.
Through interviews with 20 families, who had participated in Healthy Start for
at least 6 months, families reported both anticipated and unanticipated changes in
their lives. It was found that Healthy Start influences a variety of positive outcomes
for families. Previous quantitative findings were supported. According to the
parents interviewed, Healthy Start is achieving its intended outcomes and goals.
Parents reported greater ability to access health care services, improvements in their
home learning environment, and improved interactions with their child. Parents
also indicated increased knowledge of child development and community
resources.
Findings also provided support for the occurrence of transformative
learning. Interviewed parents indicated that their involvement with Healthy Start
impacted more than just their parenting. Through a supportive relationship and goal
setting, the participants were able to reach beyond basic parent education. The
interviews suggest that the mechanism for transformative learning lies in the
supportive, non-threatening relationship that develops between parent and home
visitor. This supportive relationship, in addition to guided goals setting, enhances a
parent's feelings of self-efficacy and increases their ability to make life changes
and persist in the face of challenges. Parents reported improved relationships with
others, increased feelings of confidence, and the ability to accomplish otherwise
unattainable things. / Graduation date: 2002
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Analysis of high-risk hispanic families in a family support program : characteristics, factors affecting parenting skills over time, and age-paced newsletter efficacyWeatherspoon, Joni 08 January 2004 (has links)
Two studies investigated the characteristics of high-risk Hispanic parents with
young children who were enrolled in a primary prevention home visitation program
targeting first birth families.
In the first study, more and less acculturated high-risk Hispanic families were
compared to high-risk non-Hispanic White families on differences in demographic
characteristics, risk factors associated with poor child outcomes, and parent behaviors
related to infant health. Using the General Linear Model Univariate procedure, these
characteristics were then related to level of parenting skills, measured after
approximately one year of service. A total of 1005 families were included in the study.
There were important differences in parent psychosocial characteristics, health
risks, and outcomes among Hispanic families. Hispanic mothers who were more
acculturated, as measured by use of English in the home, were more likely to be at risk
for substance abuse, mental illness, and family conflict. They were more likely to
smoke and less likely to breastfeed. Less acculturated Hispanic mothers were less
educated and more likely to be isolated. Controlling for pretest scores and education
level, there were significant between group differences on parenting skills after one
year of service, however the effect was small and overshadowed by the significant
interaction effect between partner status and household category. Scores for single
Spanish-speaking Hispanic mothers were significantly lower than scores of Spanish-speaking
Hispanics in partner households.
Risk factors that were positively associated with program progress included
breastfeeding and mother's education level. Smoking, mental illness, and unrealistic
expectations for the child were negatively associated with program progress.
The second paper addressed the efficacy of an age-paced parenting newsletter
as part of a home-visiting program for Spanish-speaking Hispanic parents. Family
Service Workers serving these families delivered the newsletter and used it as a
curriculum guide and teaching tool for families. Parents reported reading the
newsletter, learning from it, and changing their behavior in response to newsletter
content. Home visitors reported that it was a useful tool to reach high-risk parents with
important parenting information. They found that it was particularly useful to combat
inappropriate or unhealthful parenting advice from well-meaning family members and
friends. / Graduation date: 2004
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