2024
Applying a community‐engaged participatory machine learning model
Asabor E, Aneni K, Weerakoon S, Opara I. Applying a community‐engaged participatory machine learning model. American Journal Of Community Psychology 2024 PMID: 39279135, DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12765.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHealth researchCommunity psychologistsPublic health researchExperiences of peopleStructural humilityHealth inequalitiesHealth careCommunity stakeholdersPriority settingMachine learning techniquesTarget populationCommunity contextHealthLived experienceImprove outcomesCommunity insightsLearning techniquesProblem formationPsychologistsPositive membersStage of machine learningMachine learning researchCommunityDecision-makingCareFaith Leaders’ Perspectives on Involvement in HIV Prevention for Urban Black Youth in New Jersey, USA
Opara I, Pierre K, Gabriel C, Cross K, Clark C, Rutledge J. Faith Leaders’ Perspectives on Involvement in HIV Prevention for Urban Black Youth in New Jersey, USA. Religions 2024, 15: 862. DOI: 10.3390/rel15070862.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA 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-themesGirlsBrief Parent-Child Substance Use Education Intervention for Black Families in Urban Cities in New Jersey: Protocol for a Formative Study Design
Opara I, Pierre K, Cayo S, Aneni K, Mwai C, Hogue A, Becker S. Brief Parent-Child Substance Use Education Intervention for Black Families in Urban Cities in New Jersey: Protocol for a Formative Study Design. JMIR Research Protocols 2024, 13: e55470. PMID: 38722676, PMCID: PMC11117129, DOI: 10.2196/55470.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERBlack youthBlack familiesSubstance useUrban communitiesPrevention programsCulturally tailored interventionsAdvisory boardCommunity advisory boardFamily advisory boardEvidence-based interventionsEnvironment-level factorsInfluence substance useDelay substance useSubstance use educationPrevention education programUrban citiesProtective factorsPublic health issueParent-child dyadsADAPT-ITTTheater testingNew JerseyTailored interventionsEducational interventionExamining the integrated model of the interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide and intersectionality theory among Black male adolescents
Douglas R, Alli J, Gaylord‐Harden N, Opara I, Gilreath T. Examining the integrated model of the interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide and intersectionality theory among Black male adolescents. Suicide And Life-Threatening Behavior 2024 PMID: 38411036, PMCID: PMC11347718, DOI: 10.1111/sltb.13066.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchActive suicidal ideationTheory of suicideSuicidal ideationSuicidal thoughtsInterpersonal Psychological Theory of SuicideInterpersonal-psychological theory of suicidePsychological Theory of SuicideInterpersonal-psychological theoryWitnessing community violenceRacial discriminationBlack male adolescentsPerceived burdensomenessSelf-report surveyCommunity violenceBlack adolescent boysContextual stressorsSchool belongingnessIdeationMale adolescentsModerating effectAdolescent boysSuicideBelongingnessStructural oppressionIntegrated model
2023
Young Adults at the National Epicenter of the COVID-19 Outbreak: Understanding the Impact and Future Challenges of Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes
Malik S, Opara I, Lardier D, Younger J, Greene R. Young Adults at the National Epicenter of the COVID-19 Outbreak: Understanding the Impact and Future Challenges of Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2023, 21: 33. PMID: 38248498, PMCID: PMC10815492, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRates of depressionYoung adultsMental health servicesMental health diagnosesMental health outcomesMental health crisisDiverse population of young adultsPopulation of young adultsLifetime mental health diagnosisSocio-demographic variablesIncreased alcohol useHealth outcomesHealth servicesNational epicenterMental healthHealth diagnosisDepressive symptomsPrevention researchSevere anxietyAlcohol useNew YorkSevere depressionSocial distancingArea of New YorkDiverse populationsRelationship between suicide ideation and attempts, bully victimization, dating violence, and depressive symptoms among Black and Hispanic youth
Opara I, Weerakoon S, Stephens J, Choe T, Gunn J, Thrasher S. Relationship between suicide ideation and attempts, bully victimization, dating violence, and depressive symptoms among Black and Hispanic youth. Suicide And Life-Threatening Behavior 2023 PMID: 37933468, PMCID: PMC11074240, DOI: 10.1111/sltb.13015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRacial/ethnic disparities in PM2.5-attributable cardiovascular mortality burden in the United States
Ma Y, Zang E, Opara I, Lu Y, Krumholz H, Chen K. Racial/ethnic disparities in PM2.5-attributable cardiovascular mortality burden in the United States. Nature Human Behaviour 2023, 7: 2074-2083. PMID: 37653149, PMCID: PMC10901568, DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01694-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-Hispanic White peopleCVD deathMortality burdenNon-Hispanic black peopleCardiovascular disease mortality ratesDisease mortality ratesNon-Hispanic blacksRace/ethnicityMortality rateLong-term exposureWhite peopleEthnic disparitiesHealth benefitsHispanic peopleSignificant differencesBurdenDeathUS countiesEthnic groupsAbsolute disparityAssociationExposureEthnic minoritiesDisparitiesAmbient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrationsSexual 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 BoardUtilizing Community-Centered Approaches to Address Black Maternal Mortality
Falako S, Okoli N, Boateng M, Sandoval J, Gumudavelly D, Larsuel S, Opara I. Utilizing Community-Centered Approaches to Address Black Maternal Mortality. Health Education & Behavior 2023, 50: 500-504. PMID: 37525982, PMCID: PMC11161891, DOI: 10.1177/10901981231177078.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAddressing Gendered Racism Against Black Girls Using a Strengths-Based Empowerment-Intersectional Framework for Sexual Health and Substance Use Prevention Programming
Opara I, Martin R, Hill A, Calhoun A. Addressing Gendered Racism Against Black Girls Using a Strengths-Based Empowerment-Intersectional Framework for Sexual Health and Substance Use Prevention Programming. Health Promotion Practice 2023, 24: 617-622. PMID: 37166152, PMCID: PMC11161910, DOI: 10.1177/15248399231171145.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHealth outcomesSexual healthSubstance use prevention programmingSubstance useHealth promotion effortsWorse health outcomesSexual risk behaviorsPrevention programmingQuality health careTreatment optionsHealth promotionRisk behaviorsBlack girlsProtective factorsCritical mediatorHealth carePromotion effortsHIV knowledge and protective factors among racial-ethnic minority youth: moderation by ethnic identity and LGBQ+ identity
Lardier D, Opara I, Asabor E, Bell F, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. HIV knowledge and protective factors among racial-ethnic minority youth: moderation by ethnic identity and LGBQ+ identity. Journal Of LGBT Youth 2023, 21: 526-548. PMID: 39131490, PMCID: PMC11313272, DOI: 10.1080/19361653.2023.2200425.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEthnic identityYouth of colorHIV knowledgeSexual risk perceptionsQueer youthHIV prevention programmingSystemic racismLGBQAfrican American/BlackMinority youthSexual negotiation skillsHispanic/LatinxAmerican/BlackYouthProtective factorsStudy implicationsIdentityPrevention programmingViral hepatitisNegotiation skillsSpecific protective factorsRisk perceptionThree-way interactionSignificant moderating effectRacism“It Makes Me Feel like I Can Make a Difference”: A Qualitative Exploration of Peer Mentoring with Black and Hispanic High School Students
Opara I, Metzger I, Dawoud S, Pierre K, Assan M, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. “It Makes Me Feel like I Can Make a Difference”: A Qualitative Exploration of Peer Mentoring with Black and Hispanic High School Students. Youth 2023, 3: 490-501. DOI: 10.3390/youth3020034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHigh school studentsPeer mentorsSchool studentsPeer mentoringHispanic high school studentsEducational research studiesPeer mentoring programsExperiences of BlackHigh schoolEducational programmingMentoring programsMentorsLeadership abilityUrban youthQualitative studyStudentsMajor themesResearch studiesMentoringFamily influenceQualitative explorationFuture researchSchoolsUrban communitiesMenteesLearning from community-based HIV prevention to inform control and mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic
Abrams J, Rutledge J, Opara I. Learning from community-based HIV prevention to inform control and mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Preventive Medicine 2023, 169: 107445. PMID: 36750159, PMCID: PMC9899509, DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107445.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFuture viral pandemicsHIV preventionCommunity-based HIV preventionHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preventionCOVID-19 pandemicViral pandemicHIV-negative individualsCommunity-based prevention strategiesHIV testing behaviorsPublic health initiativesCommunity-based effortsTertiary prevention effortsHealth communication strategiesMode of transmissionCommunity-based strategiesHIV screeningHIV testingTreatment initiationTreatment adherenceCurrent COVID-19 pandemicPrevention strategiesNegative individualsHealth initiativesCondom useCurrent COVID-19Pilot-testing a Multiplayer HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Video Game Intervention for Black Adolescent Girls: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Weser V, Opara I, Budge M, Duncan L, Fernandes C, Hussett-Richardson S, Sands B, Hieftje K. Pilot-testing a Multiplayer HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Video Game Intervention for Black Adolescent Girls: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2023, 12: e43666. PMID: 36689272, PMCID: PMC9903186, DOI: 10.2196/43666.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlack adolescent girlsVideo game interventionAdolescent girlsGame interventionINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERGame-based interventionsPeer group structureControl condition participantsBehavioral skillsCondition participantsIntervention conditionFace interventionsHealthy decisionsWeb-based studyControl conditionSocial normsIndividual outcomesIntervention feasibilityCondom usePositive attitudesPrior researchSecondary outcomesSTI testingMultiplayer gamesSexual communication
2022
Correction: Schools’ Neighborhoods and Characteristics: Implications for Standardized Academic Achievement in Passaic, NJ’s Elementary, Middle and High Schools
Opara I, Thorpe D, Lardier D, Parisi D. Correction: Schools’ Neighborhoods and Characteristics: Implications for Standardized Academic Achievement in Passaic, NJ’s Elementary, Middle and High Schools. The Urban Review 2022, 55: 415-415. DOI: 10.1007/s11256-022-00654-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSchools’ Neighborhoods and Characteristics: Implications for Standardized Academic Achievement in Passaic, NJ’s Elementary, Middle and High Schools
Opara I, Thorpe D, Lardier D, Parisi D. Schools’ Neighborhoods and Characteristics: Implications for Standardized Academic Achievement in Passaic, NJ’s Elementary, Middle and High Schools. The Urban Review 2022, 55: 393-414. PMID: 38463537, PMCID: PMC10923576, DOI: 10.1007/s11256-022-00652-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAcademic outcomesEducational outcomesSchool characteristicsScience academic performanceLower mathAcademic achievementAcademic yearHigh schoolAcademic performanceEducational disparitiesSchoolsElementaryLess fundingResource deprivationMathYouthMulti-faceted approachNeighborhood resourcesPoor infrastructureSocioeconomic statusAchievementEconomic supportEnglishImplicationsSuch disparitiesHow to protect research ideas as a junior scientist
Opara I. How to protect research ideas as a junior scientist. Nature 2022 PMID: 36396919, DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-03750-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Association Between Racial Attitudes, Alcohol Use and Mood Disorders Among Black Adolescents
Opara I, Lardier D, Boyd D, Boateng A, Brawner B. The Association Between Racial Attitudes, Alcohol Use and Mood Disorders Among Black Adolescents. Journal Of Prevention 2022, 44: 85-104. PMID: 36156761, PMCID: PMC9892305, DOI: 10.1007/s10935-022-00706-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBlack adolescentsRacial attitudesAlcohol useMood disordersPositive racial identityTraumatic eventsPreliminary supportAdolescent SurveyExperiences of racismRacism awarenessCriminal justice involvementWhite adolescentsMental healthSubstance useAdolescentsAwareness domainJustice involvementPrevention programmingRacial identityRacial discriminationAttitudesDisordersRacial groupsRegression analysisAssociationSchool Absenteeism and Neighborhood Deprivation and Threat: Utilizing the Child Opportunity Index to Assess for Neighborhood-Level Disparities in Passaic County, NJ
Opara I, Thorpe D, Lardier D. School Absenteeism and Neighborhood Deprivation and Threat: Utilizing the Child Opportunity Index to Assess for Neighborhood-Level Disparities in Passaic County, NJ. Urban Education 2022, 59: 2738-2766. DOI: 10.1177/00420859221125704.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchResource deprivationViolent crimeNeighborhood violent crimeCommunities of colorChild Opportunity IndexNeighborhood-level disparitiesNeighborhood contextOpportunity IndexPassaic CountyCrimeNeighbourhood deprivationChronic absenteeismAcademic school yearHigh schoolSchoolsThreatCountyPrevention programsDisparitiesGeographic disparitiesNew JerseyDeprivationGreater levelsCommunityNew Jersey Department