Browsing by Author "Brar, Pooja"

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    The Association of Interpersonal Relationships to Adolescent Women’s Sexual Self-Efficacy
    (2019-07) Brar, Pooja
    Due to proper contraception use, the rates of unplanned pregnancy among adolescents has decreased since the early 1990’s. However, the US still has the highest adolescent pregnancy rate among countries that track these data. In addition, there is concern about increasing rates of STIs among adolescents. Self-efficacy is a key construct to understanding adolescent women’s capacity to use condoms to prevent unplanned pregnancies and STIs. The Human Ecological Theory lays the foundation for seeing individuals within the context of their environments, particularly the most proximal contexts, that of their family and romantic partners. Two studies were proposed. The first study examined the relationship between family factors and adolescent women’s self-efficacy to refuse sex without condoms and self-efficacy to use condoms. The results of multinomial logistic regressions indicated that 1) family connection predicted 2.31 greater odds of being in the constant high self-efficacy category to refuse sex without condoms compared to the constant low self-efficacy category and 2) family contraception communication predicted 2.26 greater odds of being in the fluctuating high self-efficacy to use condoms category compared to the fluctuating low category. The second study examined the relationship between partner factors and adolescent women’s self-efficacy to refuse sex without condoms and self-efficacy to use condoms. The results indicated that 1) both women’s belief that condoms interfere with pleasure and perceived partner belief that condoms interfere with pleasure were individually associated with women’s sexual self-efficacy and 2) the interaction between the two variables was not significant. In alignment with the theoretical assumptions of self-efficacy and Human Ecological Theory, the findings of the current studies suggest that interpersonal factors influence adolescent women’s sexual self-efficacy. Family members, sexual educators, and primary care providers may influence condom use by addressing adolescent women’s potential beliefs that condoms interfere with pleasure and their partners’ belief that condoms interfere with pleasure. Adolescents may benefit from education around ways to reduce discomfort and increase pleasure when using condoms. Also, adolescent women who experience low levels of family connection may need additional support to develop their sexual self-efficacy compared to their peers who report high levels of family connection.
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    Protective Factors Among Pregnant and Parenting Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Shelter: A Qualitative Exploratory Study
    (Adversity and Resilience Science, 2024-02-01) So, Marvin; Kaja, Sarah; Brar, Pooja; Mehus, Christopher; Woodlee, Christina; Gewirtz O'Brien, Janna
    Pregnant and parenting youth experiencing homelessness (PPYEH) face considerable health and socioeconomic challenges. Although protective factors, such as positive adult relationships, are key elements for healthy development throughout adolescence and young adulthood, they remain less understood among PPYEH. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 11 female participants (ages 15–20) in a shelter-based health program, we conducted a qualitative analysis to explore protective factors among PPYEH. Guided by a theory-informed codebook, we identified individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community-level factors that supported the health of PPYEH. Individual factors included youths’ future orientation, sexual health and contraceptive knowledge, understanding/prioritization of personal and child health, self-efficacy and engagement in their parent role, and ability to navigate complex systems. Interpersonal factors included meaningful parent–child relationships and multidimensional support from family and school. Organizational factors included instrumental support from school and shelter, shelter rules and policies, and the benefit of the shelter compared to previous housing circumstances. Community factors included having access to and satisfaction with primary care, easy access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, and a network of professional supports. Societal-level protective factors were not identified. Findings demonstrate the value of understanding and enhancing protective factors within ongoing clinical, educational, and policy efforts to support PPYEH.
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    U Connect Kentucky – Summary of Years 1 and 2, 2015-2016
    (University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Family Development, 2016) Brar, Pooja; Dworkin, Jodi
    U Connect uses a three state model that addresses the critical concerns of middle school aged children in historically vulnerable and marginalized populations. It is a collaboration between three institutions: University of Minnesota, Kentucky State University, andTennessee State University. U Connect is a comprehensive program based on the Check & Connect framework developed at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration with program enhancements from STEM education, nutrition education, and parent engagement. Primary outcomes from U Connect include: 1) Promotion of physical and psychological well-being. Creation of opportunities for youth, families, and community center staff to develop supportive relationships, 2) Demonstration and modeling of positive social norms, and 3) Creation of a safe place of inclusion that supports empowerment and skill building. Young people who participate will improve their pro-social behaviors at school, including attendance, personal behavior, academic performance, and engagement in school and within the after school program. Long term, this will provide youth with what they need to graduate high school, and graduate with sufficient skills for postsecondary education and/or employment. Also, parents will cultivate a home environment conductive for young people’s academic success. This is a summary report from the program's implementation in Kentucky during the first two years of the grant, 2015-2016.
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    U Connect Kentucky – Year 3 Evaluation Report, Fall 2016-Spring 2017
    (University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Family Development, 2017) LeBouef, Samantha; Dworkin, Jodi; Brar, Pooja; Yefanova, Diana
    U Connect uses a three state model that addresses the critical concerns of middle school aged children in historically vulnerable and marginalized populations. It is a collaboration between three institutions: University of Minnesota, Kentucky State University, andTennessee State University. U Connect is a comprehensive program based on the Check & Connect framework developed at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration with program enhancements from STEM education, nutrition education, and parent engagement. Primary outcomes from U Connect include: 1) Promotion of physical and psychological well-being. Creation of opportunities for youth, families, and community center staff to develop supportive relationships, 2) Demonstration and modeling of positive social norms, and 3) Creation of a safe place of inclusion that supports empowerment and skill building. Young people who participate will improve their pro-social behaviors at school, including attendance, personal behavior, academic performance, and engagement in school and within the after school program. Long term, this will provide youth with what they need to graduate high school, and graduate with sufficient skills for postsecondary education and/or employment. Also, parents will cultivate a home environment conductive for young people’s academic success. This is a summary report from the program's implementation in Kentucky during the third year of the grant, fall 2016-spring 2017.
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    U Connect Minnesota – Summary of Years 1 and 2, 2015-2016
    (University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Family Development, 2016) Brar, Pooja; Dworkin, Jodi
    U Connect uses a three state model that addresses the critical concerns of middle school aged children in historically vulnerable and marginalized populations. It is a collaboration between three institutions: University of Minnesota, Kentucky State University, andTennessee State University. U Connect is a comprehensive program based on the Check & Connect framework developed at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration with program enhancements from STEM education, nutrition education, and parent engagement. Primary outcomes from U Connect include: 1) Promotion of physical and psychological well-being. Creation of opportunities for youth, families, and community center staff to develop supportive relationships, 2) Demonstration and modeling of positive social norms, and 3) Creation of a safe place of inclusion that supports empowerment and skill building. Young people who participate will improve their pro-social behaviors at school, including attendance, personal behavior, academic performance, and engagement in school and within the after school program. Long term, this will provide youth with what they need to graduate high school, and graduate with sufficient skills for postsecondary education and/or employment. Also, parents will cultivate a home environment conductive for young people’s academic success. This is a summary report from the program's implementation in Minnesota during the first two years of the grant, 2015-2016.
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    U Connect Minnesota – Year 3 Evaluation Report, Fall 2016-Spring 2017
    (University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Family Development, 2017) LeBouef, Samantha; Dworkin, Jodi; Brar, Pooja; Yefanova, Diana
    U Connect uses a three state model that addresses the critical concerns of middle school aged children in historically vulnerable and marginalized populations. It is a collaboration between three institutions: University of Minnesota, Kentucky State University, andTennessee State University. U Connect is a comprehensive program based on the Check & Connect framework developed at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration with program enhancements from STEM education, nutrition education, and parent engagement. Primary outcomes from U Connect include: 1) Promotion of physical and psychological well-being. Creation of opportunities for youth, families, and community center staff to develop supportive relationships, 2) Demonstration and modeling of positive social norms, and 3) Creation of a safe place of inclusion that supports empowerment and skill building. Young people who participate will improve their pro-social behaviors at school, including attendance, personal behavior, academic performance, and engagement in school and within the after school program. Long term, this will provide youth with what they need to graduate high school, and graduate with sufficient skills for postsecondary education and/or employment. Also, parents will cultivate a home environment conductive for young people’s academic success. This is a summary report from the program's implementation in Minnesota during the third of the grant, Fall 2016-Spring 2017.
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    U Connect Tennessee – Summary of Years 1 and 2, 2015-2016
    (University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Family Development, 2016) Brar, Pooja; Dworkin, Jodi
    U Connect uses a three state model that addresses the critical concerns of middle school aged children in historically vulnerable and marginalized populations. It is a collaboration between three institutions: University of Minnesota, Kentucky State University, andTennessee State University. U Connect is a comprehensive program based on the Check & Connect framework developed at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration with program enhancements from STEM education, nutrition education, and parent engagement. Primary outcomes from U Connect include: 1) Promotion of physical and psychological well-being. Creation of opportunities for youth, families, and community center staff to develop supportive relationships, 2) Demonstration and modeling of positive social norms, and 3) Creation of a safe place of inclusion that supports empowerment and skill building. Young people who participate will improve their pro-social behaviors at school, including attendance, personal behavior, academic performance, and engagement in school and within the after school program. Long term, this will provide youth with what they need to graduate high school, and graduate with sufficient skills for postsecondary education and/or employment. Also, parents will cultivate a home environment conductive for young people’s academic success. This is a summary report from the program's implementation in Tennessee during the first two years of the grant, 2015-2016.
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    U Connect Tennessee – Year 3 Evaluation Report, Fall 2016-Spring 2017
    (University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Family Development, 2017) LeBouef, Samantha; Dworkin, Jodi; Brar, Pooja; Yefanova, Diana
    U Connect uses a three state model that addresses the critical concerns of middle school aged children in historically vulnerable and marginalized populations. It is a collaboration between three institutions: University of Minnesota, Kentucky State University, andTennessee State University. U Connect is a comprehensive program based on the Check & Connect framework developed at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration with program enhancements from STEM education, nutrition education, and parent engagement. Primary outcomes from U Connect include: 1) Promotion of physical and psychological well-being. Creation of opportunities for youth, families, and community center staff to develop supportive relationships, 2) Demonstration and modeling of positive social norms, and 3) Creation of a safe place of inclusion that supports empowerment and skill building. Young people who participate will improve their pro-social behaviors at school, including attendance, personal behavior, academic performance, and engagement in school and within the after school program. Long term, this will provide youth with what they need to graduate high school, and graduate with sufficient skills for postsecondary education and/or employment. Also, parents will cultivate a home environment conductive for young people’s academic success. This is a summary report from the program's implementation in Tennessee during the third of the grant, Fall 2016-Spring 2017.