Evaluation of project "interaction"

This report is an evaluation of the development project SAMSPIL (interaction), which aims at socially vulnerable young mothers in Lolland. The average first-time mother in Lolland is significantly younger than the national average, and fewer take an upper secondary education. Young mothers risk isolation and ending up without an education and, subsequently, a job.
The project is an extended form of mother-and-child group, assisted by both a health visitor and a family consultant. The objective is to prevent young mothers from losing their mental energy, network and personal ambition for an education and a job during their maternity leave.
The evaluation looked at 13 participants who found that the activities in the mother-and-child group were relevant for them. However, the project had difficulties attracting young mothers and retaining them. Furthermore, only marginal differences could be seen between the participants in the mother-and-child group and a control group of young mothers in the same situation. Therefore, the project needs to be developed to render it more attractive for all mothers in the target group, if municipalities want to offer special mother-and-child groups for young mothers. There is also a need for more and better data in order to assess the benefits of special mother-and-child groups for young mothers.
The INTERACTION project was carried out between 2008 and 2012 by Lolland Municipality with support from the Health Insurance Foundation.