The purpose of this project is to empirically test the implementation feasibility and initial efficacy of a culturally-adapted and web-enhanced version of an efficacious parenting intervention aimed at reducing substance use likelihood among Hispanic youth.
The Hispanic population is exposed to intense health disparities including disparities related to NIDA outcomes. For example, according to the NIDA-funded Monitoring the Future survey (2016), Hispanic youth respondents are at an increased risk for cigarette use, alcohol use, and use of other illicit substances compared to their counterparts.
There are few effective strategies that currently exist to effectively address these disparities, particularly as it refers to the adequate integration of cultural values and traditions of ethnic minority groups in existing efficacious interventions. Although promising models exist, progress continues to be slow. Culturally adapting existing efficacious prevention interventions constitutes an alternative to reduce health disparities. Thus, this project is focused on addressing gaps in prevention research with regards to low-income and underserved Hispanic families and youth.
This project consists of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at testing the implementation feasibility and initial efficacy of a culturally adapted version of the efficacious intervention known as Parent Management Training, the Oregon Model (GenerationPMTOR). The initial goal consisted of developing a culturally adapted version of the intervention for use with first generation Hispanic families with US-born adolescents. The second goal consisted of the implementation of a small pilot study to evaluate the implementation feasibility and cultural relevance of the adapted intervention. Currently, we are in the final phase of an RCT aimed at testing the initial efficacy of the intervention with a sample of 70 first generation Hispanic immigrant families. Outcomes being measured include quality of parent-youth relationship, parenting skills, parental stress, youth likelihood to use drugs, youth internalizing/externalizing behaviors, and changes in acculturation. Efficacy findings will be disseminated once data are analyzed.
This research will provide empirical evidence with regards of the potential of culturally adapted interventions as an alternative to prevent youth drug use among low-income and underserved Hispanic families. Significant innovations refer to the fact the intervention is brief (9 sessions), compared to more lengthy parent training interventions. In addition, the intervention has an overt focus on issues of discrimination and cultural stressors that negatively impact Hispanic immigrant families. Finally, a web component serves as a complement to face-to-face delivery.