2024
A Qualitative Exploration on Risk and Protective Factors of Substance Use Among Black Adolescent Girls
Opara I, Brooks-Stephens J, Aneni K, Asabor E, Weerakoon S, Duran-Becerra B. A Qualitative Exploration on Risk and Protective Factors of Substance Use Among Black Adolescent Girls. Journal Of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-14. PMID: 38748661, DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2024.2344171.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlack adolescent girlsSubstance useAdolescent girlsFactors of substance useProtective factorsAbuse prevention programsSubstance abuse prevention programsPrevention programsEcological systems theoretical frameworkSystems theoretical frameworkParticipants' narrativesLived experienceGender-specificSocial environmentDrug useUnique risk factorsCoping mechanismsQualitative explorationFocus groupsThematic analysisTheoretical frameworkStudy findingsIntervention developmentSub-themesGirls
2023
Sexual Health and Drug Use Prevention for Black Girls (The Dreamer Girls Project): Protocol for an Intervention Development
Opara I, Gabriel C, Duran-Becerra B, Bond K, Hill A, Hussett-Richardson S, Alves C, Kershaw T. Sexual Health and Drug Use Prevention for Black Girls (The Dreamer Girls Project): Protocol for an Intervention Development. JMIR Research Protocols 2023, 12: e45007. PMID: 37556188, PMCID: PMC10448282, DOI: 10.2196/45007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERSexual risk behaviorsSexual healthDrug useAim 1Protective factorsAim 3Risk behaviorsAim 2HIV/STI preventionSubstance useIntervention developmentTarget sample sizeWorse health outcomesDrug use preventionADAPT-ITT frameworkYouth advisory boardMisuse drugsSTI preventionInfection diagnosisHealth outcomesUse preventionBlack girlsEducation interventionAdvisory Board
2022
A Systematic Review on Sexual Health and Drug Use Prevention Interventions for Black Girls
Opara I, Pierre K, Assan M, Scheinfeld L, Alves C, Cross K, Lizarraga A, Brawner B. A Systematic Review on Sexual Health and Drug Use Prevention Interventions for Black Girls. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2022, 19: 3176. PMID: 35328864, PMCID: PMC8950684, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063176.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPoor sexual health outcomesSexual health outcomesHealth outcomesDrug useSexual healthSystematic reviewEarly pregnancySearch criteriaPrevention interventionsUnwanted pregnancyBlack girlsAdolescent femalesAdolescent girlsInterventionOutcomesHIVPregnancyHigh ratePrevention researchersGirlsBlack adolescent femalesReviewHealthInfectionLarge sample
2021
Sociopolitical control as a mediator between ethnic identity and social support on 30-day drug use among black girls
Opara I, Hill A, Calhoun A, Francois M, Alves C, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Sociopolitical control as a mediator between ethnic identity and social support on 30-day drug use among black girls. Journal Of Ethnicity In Substance Abuse 2021, 22: 606-625. PMID: 34533434, PMCID: PMC8926931, DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2021.1975007.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
Ethnic Identity, Empowerment, Social Support and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Black Adolescent Girls: Examining Drug Use as a Mediator
Opara I, Rodas E, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Ethnic Identity, Empowerment, Social Support and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Black Adolescent Girls: Examining Drug Use as a Mediator. Child And Adolescent Social Work Journal 2020, 39: 71-86. PMID: 35462639, PMCID: PMC9031836, DOI: 10.1007/s10560-020-00706-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlack adolescent girlsAdolescent girlsSocial supportSexual risk behaviorsRisk behaviorsEthnic identity scoresEthnic identityNortheastern urban communityDrug useLower sexual risk behaviorsStructural equation modelingPsychological empowermentHigher ethnic identity scoresHypothesized modelResiliency skillsStrengths-based lensEquation modelingFemale adolescentsRisky behaviorsSubstance abuseProtective factorsIdentity scoresBlack girlsGirlsCultural strengthsIntrapersonal psychological empowerment profiles on ethnic identity, social support, and lifetime drug use among Hispanic adolescent girls
Opara I, Lardier D, Fernandez Y, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Intrapersonal psychological empowerment profiles on ethnic identity, social support, and lifetime drug use among Hispanic adolescent girls. Journal Of Ethnicity In Substance Abuse 2020, 21: 886-913. PMID: 32787746, PMCID: PMC8191478, DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2020.1803780.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHispanic adolescent girlsIntrapersonal psychological empowermentPsychological empowermentAdolescent girlsSocial supportSociopolitical Control ScaleEthnic identityTwo-factor structureConfirmatory factor analysisHigh social supportDrug useControl ScaleFactor structureLatent class analysisLifetime drug useFactor analysisDistinct cluster groupsRelated variablesClass analysisGirlsPrevention researchCluster groupsEmpowermentHigh levelsSupport“Bullets Have no Names”: A Qualitative Exploration of Community Trauma Among Black and Latinx Youth
Opara I, Lardier D, Metzger I, Herrera A, Franklin L, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. “Bullets Have no Names”: A Qualitative Exploration of Community Trauma Among Black and Latinx Youth. Journal Of Child And Family Studies 2020, 29: 2117-2129. PMID: 34475729, PMCID: PMC8409467, DOI: 10.1007/s10826-020-01764-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchViolent crimeLatinx youthImportance of youthYouth of colorCommunity-based organizationsLack of opportunitiesGun violenceFocus group comprisingCommunity healingLived experienceCommunity traumaQualitative explorationQualitative studyTheoretical frameworkYouthCrimeCommon themesNegative healthFeelings of hopelessnessDaily occurrenceViolenceBlacksThemesDrug useCommunityThe Role of Empowerment-Based Protective Factors on Substance Use Among Youth of Color
Lardier D, Opara I, Reid R, Garcia-Reid P. The Role of Empowerment-Based Protective Factors on Substance Use Among Youth of Color. Child And Adolescent Social Work Journal 2020, 37: 271-285. PMID: 34732976, PMCID: PMC8562725, DOI: 10.1007/s10560-020-00659-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchYouth of colorPsychological empowermentSubstance useEthnic identityNortheastern urban communitySample of youthRole of empowermentStrengths-based approachStructural equation modelingDrug useDaily substance useSocial work fieldMinority adolescentsEquation modelingRisky behaviorsProtective factorsYouthLimited researchDeficit lensYoung peopleCivic engagementStudy contributeDirect associationWork fieldEngagement
2019
Validation of the Abbreviated Socio-Political Control Scale for Youth (SPCS-Y) Among Urban Girls of Color
Opara I, Rivera Rodas E, Lardier D, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Validation of the Abbreviated Socio-Political Control Scale for Youth (SPCS-Y) Among Urban Girls of Color. Child And Adolescent Social Work Journal 2019, 37: 83-95. PMID: 32982036, PMCID: PMC7516891, DOI: 10.1007/s10560-019-00624-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGirls of colorLatent class cluster analysisAMOS structural equation modeling softwareSocial work practiceStrengths-based approachUrban girlsSocial workEthnic identityWork practiceUnited States communitiesNeighborhood senseStates communitiesSocial supportYouthConfirmatory factor analysisSociopolitical Control ScaleCommunityEmpowermentGirlsDrug useIdentityCFA resultsPracticeFactor analysisPractitioners“It All Starts With the Parents”: A Qualitative Study on Protective Factors for Drug-Use Prevention Among Black and Hispanic Girls
Opara I, Lardier D, Reid R, Garcia-Reid P. “It All Starts With the Parents”: A Qualitative Study on Protective Factors for Drug-Use Prevention Among Black and Hispanic Girls. Affilia 2019, 34: 199-218. PMID: 31341350, PMCID: PMC6655418, DOI: 10.1177/0886109918822543.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHispanic adolescent girlsQualitative studyParental modelingNarratives of participantsProtective factorsMost salient factorsAdolescent girlsIntersectional approachIntersectionality theorySocial workersParent-child communicationFemale participantsSubstance abuse prevention programDrug use preventionDrug useEnvironmental contextThematic analysisTheoretical frameworkFocus groupsSalient factorsMain themesTarget cityUnited StatesSubstance useAdolescent females