Date of Award:

5-2009

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Department name when degree awarded

Family, Consumer, and Human Development

Committee Chair(s)

Scot M. Allgood

Committee

Scot M. Allgood

Committee

Brian J. Higginbotham

Committee

Kay Bradford

Abstract

The study's purpose was to determine if participants reported that booster sessions following a stepfamily education course were effective. Agencies in northern Utah that provide services to low-income (including minorities) families were used to recruit a sample of 487 males and 560 females. Participants were required to be in a relationship that formed a remarriage or to have children from a previous relationship, forming a stepfamily. Booster sessions were educational meetings that occurred four to six weeks after the completion of the stepfamily education course. Intervention theory states that as protective factors are implemented through prevention education they lessen the effects of risk factors in participants' lives. Booster sessions were focused on reiterating protective factors taught in the stepfamily course material and served as a protective factor through offering continued support to participants. A self-report measure was used at the completion of the booster session. Participants were asked if the booster session was worthwhile (fun, educational, and worth their time), if they learned something, and if they recognized a change in their knowledge base concerning healthy stepfamily skills through attending the booster session. Participants consistently reported that they did find the booster session worthwhile, that they learned something, and that they increased in knowledge concerning healthy stepfamily skills. Although all participants reported that booster sessions were effective, Latino participants reported higher averages than Caucasian participants in research questions two and three. Study findings suggest that booster sessions can serve as a means of increasing educational gains of participants after the conclusion of course material. Also, discussion is provided concerning the implications of providing family life education for the Latino population.

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