The Behavior of Adolescents in Single Parent Homes Living in Poverty

The Behavior of Adolescents in Single Parent Homes Living in Poverty

Abstract

This research sought to the behavior of adolescents in single parent homes living in poverty. 150 Compared to nonpoor families, poor families experienced more multiple risk factors and had lower HOME scores. The number of risk factors was associated with less stimulating home environments, in both poor and non-poor families. Early intervention services were associated with higher learning scores but not higher physical or emotional environment scores. In terms of learning experiences, non-poor mothers who experienced the greatest number of risks benefitted more from the treatment than mothers with fewer risk factors. The pathways through which poverty influences learning experiences and intervention strategies to improve the home environments of young children are proposed.

Table of Content

Abstract2

Table of Content3

Chapter 1: Introduction5

Overview5

Purpose of the Study7

Hypotheses:7

Significance8

Chapter 2: Literature Review10

Parental Involvement in Their Child's Literacy Development10

Initiatives and Programs on Reading15

Successful Reading Programs Integrating Parental Involvement20

School Performance70

Encouraging Parent Involvement72

Chapter 3: Methodology76

Overview76

Rationale of the Methods79

Instrumentation80

Sampling and Data Collection83

Role of the Researcher83

Procedure84

Participants and Data Sample84

Description of Schools85

Effectiveness of Interview and questionnaire86

Data Analysis87

Validity87

Ethical Issues90

Informed Consent90

Anonymity91

Chapter 4: Results and Findings93

Presentation and Analysis of the Findings93

Parental Questionnaire96

Post Test Scores Analysis117

Parent Interview Analysis124

Research Question128

Summary of the Findings130

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation132

Discussion133

Recommendations140

Recommendations for Further Research147

References148

Appendix172

Questionnaire172

Parents Telephonic interview174

Chapter 1: Introduction

Overview

Racial and ethnic disparities exist in the use of routine health care and forgone care among adolescents in the United States (1-4). In particular, adolescents of Latino origin are less likely to receive routine care and are more likely to forego health care than non-Latino whites (1-4). About one third (38%) of Latino adolescents have not received a routine physical examination within the last year and 21 percent of Latino adolescents do not seek care for perceived medical problems (forgone care) (2). These missed opportunities may increase the risk of preventable health problems that disproportionately affect U.S. Latinos, including sexually transmitted diseases (5), unintended pregnancy (6), tuberculosis (7), substance use (8), depression (8), attempted suicide (9) and unintentional injuries (8).

A better understanding of the factors associated with the use of routine health care and forgone care is needed to guide the development of programs aimed at increasing health care utilization among Latino adolescents, and to understand disparities between Latino subgroups. To date, most empirical studies that have included adolescents of Latino origin have been regional (2,10), have not considered the heterogeneity between Latino populations, and have not addressed the effect of immigrant generational status on routine care and forgone care. Additionally, the prevalence of routine care, use of STD services and family planning services and forgone care among Latino adolescents who engage in behaviors that place them at risk for STDs is unknown.

To begin addressing these issues, we examined the relationships between predisposing and enabling factors with having received a routine physical examination, use of STD services, family planning services and reporting forgone health care within the previous year among four populations of Latino adolescents. Special emphasis was placed on adolescents who engage ...