Generativity as a positive mental health outcome: The long-term impacts of Better Beginnings, Better Futures on youth at ages 18-19

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.