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
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 ResearchTesting the factor structure of the brief sense of community scale among black girls and the relationship with ethnic identity, empowerment and social support
Opara I, Lardier D, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Testing the factor structure of the brief sense of community scale among black girls and the relationship with ethnic identity, empowerment and social support. Children And Youth Services Review 2021, 127: 106095. PMID: 34305217, PMCID: PMC8294162, DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntrapersonal psychological empowermentPsychological empowermentConfirmatory factor analysisPsychological SOCSocial supportBrief SenseEthnic identityFactor structureSecond-order factor structureBlack girlsFive-factor modelPsychological senseFactor analysisRelated variablesGirlsSupportEmpowermentSenseIdentityBSCSRegression-based approachCommunity scaleScaleMeasuresFindings
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 relationshipYouthSPCSValidityFindingsSupportEthnic 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
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