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-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 intervention
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 BoardAddressing 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 efforts
2022
The 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 analysisAssociation
2021
Effects of Brief Interventions on Internalizing Symptoms and Substance Use in Youth: A Systematic Review
McDanal R, Parisi D, Opara I, Schleider J. Effects of Brief Interventions on Internalizing Symptoms and Substance Use in Youth: A Systematic Review. Clinical Child And Family Psychology Review 2021, 25: 339-355. PMID: 34731373, PMCID: PMC9061892, DOI: 10.1007/s10567-021-00372-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use outcomesInternalizing problemsBrief interventionSubstance useUse outcomesInternalizing symptomsCo-occurring internalizing problemsProgram effectsYouth internalizing symptomsYouth substance useYouth-focused interventionsYouth difficultiesEvidence-based interventionsYoung peopleSchool settingsVoicemail messagesIntervention effectsInternalizingYouthTest interventionsIntervention characteristicsInterventionOnline designCoping in the Time of COVID-19: Buffering Stressors With Coping Strategies
Okafor C, Bautista K, Asare M, Opara I. Coping in the Time of COVID-19: Buffering Stressors With Coping Strategies. Journal Of Loss And Trauma 2021, 27: 83-91. PMID: 35173557, PMCID: PMC8845574, DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2021.1914987.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMental health tollSymptoms of depressionBehavioral disengagementCoping strategiesEmotional reasonsSocial supportSubstance useHealth tollAnxietyPolicy-making effortsDepressionOdds of feelingGeneral populationDisengagementFeelingsStressorsParticipantsAdultsCross-sectional studyInterventionCOVID-19FindingsSupportSymptomsMental health burden among Black adolescents: the need for better assessment, diagnosis and treatment engagement
Opara I, Weissinger G, Lardier D, Lanier Y, Carter S, Brawner B. Mental health burden among Black adolescents: the need for better assessment, diagnosis and treatment engagement. Social Work In Mental Health 2021, 19: 88-104. PMID: 34248423, PMCID: PMC8262091, DOI: 10.1080/15332985.2021.1879345.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMental health symptomsMental health treatmentHealth symptomsHealth treatmentMental health burdenTrauma exposure historyBlack adolescentsHealth burdenDepressive symptomsTreatment groupsDiagnostic criteriaTreatment engagementLogistic regressionSymptomsAnxiety disordersSubstance useExposure historyAdolescentsTreatmentRecent suicidalityPsychological factorsBetter assessmentGroupDiagnosisSuicidality
2020
The 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
A study of psychological sense of community as a mediator between supportive social systems, school belongingness, and outcome behaviors among urban high school students of color
Lardier D, Opara I, Bergeson C, Herrera A, Garcia‐Reid P, Reid R. A study of psychological sense of community as a mediator between supportive social systems, school belongingness, and outcome behaviors among urban high school students of color. Journal Of Community Psychology 2019, 47: 1131-1150. PMID: 30883801, PMCID: PMC6581577, DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22182.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPsychological SOCSchool belongingnessPsychological senseSocial supportNegative developmental trajectoriesSupportive social systemRisk behaviorsUrban high school studentsHigh school studentsYouth of colorDevelopmental trajectoriesMediating variablePsychological symptomsSubstance useCommunity programsBelongingnessUS urban communitiesSchool studentsDepressive symptomsViolent behaviorCommunity-based activitiesFoster supportYouthStudents of colorSocial systems“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