Promoting Mealtime Communication Between Adolescent Mothers and Their Infants Through Videotape

Abstract

Objective. To use social learning theory to develop and examine the effectiveness of a 15-minute, culturally sensitive videotape in altering mealtime communication and attitudes among African-American adolescent mothers. Design. Randomized clinical trial with baseline and follow-up evaluations. Setting. High schools, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Clinics, and Family Support Centers serving low-income families. Participants. Fifty-nine first-time, African-American adolescent mothers of infants. Intervention. Intervention group viewed and received a copy of a videotape titled “Feeding Your Baby With Love.” The messages, title, music, and setting were designed by an advisory group of six African-American adolescent mothers who were filmed feeding their infants in their homes. Measurements and Results. During baseline and follow-up evaluations, mothers were videotaped feeding their baby and completed a questionnaire on attitudes toward mealtime behavior. Analysis of covariance with repeated measures indicated changes in both behavior and attitudes. At follow-up, intervention mothers were more involved with their infant and reported more favorable attitudes toward feeding and communication than control mothers. Conclusions. Brief culturally sensitive videotapes may be effective strategies to promote parenting skills and to prevent social and health problems among adolescents.