Citation

Love N, Nelson G, Pancer SM, Loomis C, Hasford J. Can. J. Commun. Ment. Health 2013; 32(1): 155-169.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Wifrid Laurier University Press)

DOI

10.7870/cjcmh-2013-012

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined the long-term impacts of the Better Beginnings, Better Futures project, a universal, community-based prevention program. Generativity was studied as an indicator of positive mental health, using a narrative analysis of youths' stories about turning points in their lives. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare youths aged 18-19 who participated in Better Beginnings when they were 4-8 (n = 62) and with youths from comparison communities who did not participate in Better Beginnings (n = 34). Significant differences between the 2 groups were found on 2 measures of generativity. The findings suggest the utility of adopting a narrative approach to evaluate the long-term outcomes of prevention programs for children and youth.

KEYWORDS: prevention, early childhood development programs, long-term outcomes, generativity, positive mental health