Investigación
Promoting Early Childhood Development Through Nurturing Parenting: ASCENDI Program
Castro, Arachu
Resumen:
Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a 12-session group-based nurturing care interventionfor adolescent mothers in the Dominican Republic.Methods: We conducted a one-group pretest-posttest feasibility study in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. Participants were adolescent mothers (under 20 years)with a childenrolled in an early childhood development(ECD)center operated by the National Institute for Early Childhood Comprehensive Care (INAIPI). The intervention, based on the World Health OrganizationNurturing Care Framework, addressed ECD, affective care, positive discipline, and maternal well-being. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d.Results: Of 14 adolescent mothers who started the program, 11 completed both assessments (78.6% retention). Participants had a mean age of 16.91years (SD= 1.35), with children averaging 1.15years (SD= 0.84). Two outcomes showed statistically significant improvements. Parental efficacy (1–4 scale)increased from M= 3.38 to M= 3.84 (d= 0.99, p= .008), with significant gains observed in three subdomains: protective (d= 1.21, p= .003), formative (d= 0.90, p= .014), and bonding competencies (d= 0.81, p= .023). Cognitive stimulationactivities(0–1scale)increased from M= 0.42to M= 0.65(d= 0.81, p= .036). Participant satisfaction was high (M= 4.64 on a 5-point scale).Discussion: ASCENDI demonstrated feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in improving parental efficacy and cognitive stimulation among adolescent mothers. Large effect sizes, high retention, and satisfaction rates support the potential of group-based nurturing care interventions for adolescent mothers in resource-limited settings.
Área de investigación:
Ciencias Sociales
Tema de investigación:
Desarrollo infantil
Área de impacto
ODS 4: Educación de calidad | |
ODS 3: Salud y bienestar |
Instituciones colaboradoras
Tulane University
Investigador Principal
Castro, Arachu
Coinvestigador(es):
Estado:
Activo