2024
Faith 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 Research
2023
HIV 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
2022
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. 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 disparities
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 designEthnic Identity as a Moderator Between HIV Knowledge, Viral Hepatitis Knowledge, and Psychological Antecedents Among Racial-Ethnic Minority Youth Living in an Urban Community
Opara I, Lardier D, Durkee M, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Ethnic Identity as a Moderator Between HIV Knowledge, Viral Hepatitis Knowledge, and Psychological Antecedents Among Racial-Ethnic Minority Youth Living in an Urban Community. Journal Of Racial And Ethnic Health Disparities 2021, 9: 1298-1307. PMID: 34041704, PMCID: PMC8617072, DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-01069-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPsychological antecedentsViral hepatitis knowledgeEthnic identityMinority youthGender-specific prevention programsRisk-taking behaviorRisk behaviorsSexual negotiation skillsIdentity developmentAntecedent variablesFemale adolescentsHIV risk behaviorsLower perceptionsHepatitis knowledgeProtective factorsNegotiation skillsHIV knowledgeAntecedentsYouthUS urban communitiesLimited researchYouth LivingHIV prevention education programPrevention programsStudents of colorThe brief sense of community scale: Testing dimensionality and measurement invariance by gender among Hispanic/Latinx youth
Lardier D, Opara I, Cantu I, Garcia‐Reid P, Reid R. The brief sense of community scale: Testing dimensionality and measurement invariance by gender among Hispanic/Latinx youth. Journal Of Community Psychology 2021, 50: 409-425. PMID: 33938003, PMCID: PMC8563485, DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22585.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIntrapersonal psychological empowermentHispanic/Latinx youthPsychological sensePsychological empowermentBrief SenseLatinx youthSecond-order factor structureMultigroup confirmatory factor analysisSecond-order factor modelEthnic identityFeelings of belongingnessFour-factor modelConfirmatory factor analysisLatinx adolescentsMeasurement invarianceFactor structureEmotional connectionFactor analysisFactor modelYouthSenseBelongingnessEmpowermentAdolescentsTheoretical discussionPsychological sense of community, community civic participation, and ethnic identity on social justice orientation and psychological empowerment between LGBQ and Non-LGBQ youth of color
Lardier D, Opara I, Brammer M, Pinto S, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Psychological sense of community, community civic participation, and ethnic identity on social justice orientation and psychological empowerment between LGBQ and Non-LGBQ youth of color. Journal Of LGBT Youth 2021, 20: 1-32. PMID: 36855462, PMCID: PMC9970295, DOI: 10.1080/19361653.2020.1860858.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSocial justice orientationPsychological empowermentJustice orientationEthnic identityOppressive social conditionsCommunity civic participationSocial justice concernsCommunity-based perceptionsYouth of colorForm of resistanceRange of predictorsPsychological senseCivic participationCognitive dimensionsJustice concernsCivic engagementLGBQ youthSocial actionLGBQCritical understandingSocial conditionsRacial stereotypesUrban youthEmpowermentYouth
2020
Measuring Intrapersonal Psychological Empowerment and Ethnic Identity: Highlighting Strengths of Urban Black Girls
Opara I, Lardier D, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Measuring Intrapersonal Psychological Empowerment and Ethnic Identity: Highlighting Strengths of Urban Black Girls. Youth & Society 2020, 54: 573-592. PMID: 35813075, PMCID: PMC9269979, DOI: 10.1177/0044118x20970226.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntrapersonal psychological empowermentPsychological empowermentStructural equation modelingEthnic identityFactor structureBlack girlsSociopolitical Control ScaleTwo-dimensional factor structureUrban Black girlsPreliminary supportFactorial validityControl ScaleEquation modelingHighlighting strengthsEmpowerment literatureLimited researchGirlsIdentityEmpowermentTheoretical relationshipYouthSPCSValidityFindingsSupport“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 useCommunitySuicide among Black Children: An Integrated Model of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide and Intersectionality Theory for Researchers and Clinicians
Opara I, Assan M, Pierre K, Gunn J, Metzger I, Hamilton J, Arugu E. Suicide among Black Children: An Integrated Model of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide and Intersectionality Theory for Researchers and Clinicians. Journal Of Black Studies 2020, 51: 611-631. PMID: 34305168, PMCID: PMC8301214, DOI: 10.1177/0021934720935641.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInterpersonal-psychological theoryBlack childrenSuicide researchIntersectionality theoryGender minority statusUnderstudied factorMental healthWhite youthRacial discriminationMinority statusSuicide riskChildrenRisk of suicideConceptual paperIntegrated modelWhite childrenSuicideSocioeconomic statusResearchCritical gapRates of suicideTheoryYouthResearchersDiscriminationThe 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 fieldEngagementThe Mediating Role of Ethnic Identity and Social Justice Orientation Between Community Civic Participation, Psychological Sense of Community, and Dimensions of Psychological Empowerment Among Adolescents of Color
Lardier D, Opara I, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. The Mediating Role of Ethnic Identity and Social Justice Orientation Between Community Civic Participation, Psychological Sense of Community, and Dimensions of Psychological Empowerment Among Adolescents of Color. The Urban Review 2020, 53: 403-423. PMID: 34483379, PMCID: PMC8412146, DOI: 10.1007/s11256-020-00573-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCommunity civic participationPsychological empowermentSocial justice orientationPsychological senseJustice orientationEthnic identityPositive developmental outcomesAdolescents of colorRange of predictorsYouth of colorMediating RolePath analysis techniqueDevelopmental outcomesStructural equationSocial justice issuesSocial actionUrban youthCommunity programmingYouthCivic involvementEmpowermentJustice issuesDevelopmental processesCivic participationSenseThe Cognitive Empowerment Scale: Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis Among Youth of Color
Lardier D, Opara I, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. The Cognitive Empowerment Scale: Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis Among Youth of Color. Child And Adolescent Social Work Journal 2020, 37: 179-193. PMID: 34305301, PMCID: PMC8301240, DOI: 10.1007/s10560-019-00647-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConfirmatory factor analysisPsychological empowermentMultigroup confirmatory factor analysisAMOS structural equation modeling softwareEmpowerment ScaleIntrapersonal psychological empowermentFactor analysisUrban youthCognitive componentsPsychological senseAfrican American/BlackYouth of colorAmerican/BlackStructural equation modeling softwareFactor structureSocial worldYouthMultilevel frameworkYoung peopleSocial workSocial changeCritical readEmpowermentMultidimensionalityScale
2019
Increasing Viral Hepatitis Knowledge Among Urban Ethnic Minority Youth: Findings from a Community Based Prevention Intervention
Opara I, Lardier D, Herrera A, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Increasing Viral Hepatitis Knowledge Among Urban Ethnic Minority Youth: Findings from a Community Based Prevention Intervention. Journal Of Community Health 2019, 45: 269-277. PMID: 31515664, PMCID: PMC7065932, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00740-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEthnic minority youthMinority youthUrban communitiesUrban ethnic minority youthNortheastern urban communityHepatitis knowledgeViral hepatitis knowledgeLogistic regression analysisHIV/AIDSYouthUnited StatesKnowledge interventionOpioid epidemicPrevention interventionsVH casesSubstance abuseEducation interventionBaseline surveyCommunityInterventionU.S.Significant increaseRegression analysisInfectionInnovative approachValidation 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 analysisPractitionersA 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