Method:  During the past 9 years the College Bound Sisters (CBS) program has had 91 participants in the intervention group and 70 in the control group between the ages of 12 and 16 years on admission, who were younger sisters of adolescent mothers, and never pregnant. Intervention group members attended weekly 90 minute educational meetings on the college campus. Both groups were interviewed initially, six months later, then annually to obtain personal and demographic information and measures of self-esteem and perception of social support.  

Findings: Using t-tests for comparisons, the groups were statistically equivalent at baseline. Using odds ratios, control group members were found to be three times more likely to get pregnant and three times more likely to drop out of school than participants.  High school graduate participants were twice as likely to enroll in college as control group graduates.  Self-esteem remained constant and social support increased for the intervention group. Self-esteem dropped and perceived social support decreased for the control group. Providing social support and enhancing self-esteem yielded one significant predictor: girls who maintained or increased their perception of support were more likely to avoid pregnancy and remain in school than those who perceived declining support.

Discussion:  Nursing interventions planned to cultivate peer support is an important strategy in helping this group achieve their goals of avoiding pregnancy, completing high school and enrolling in college.