2024
Brief 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
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 populationsRacial/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) concentrationsUtilizing 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 effortsLearning 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-19
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 analysisAssociationA 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
Reframing Sexual Health for Black Girls and Women in HIV/STI Prevention Work: Highlighting the Role of Identity and Interpersonal Relationships
Opara I, Abrams JA, Cross K, Amutah-Onukagha N. Reframing Sexual Health for Black Girls and Women in HIV/STI Prevention Work: Highlighting the Role of Identity and Interpersonal Relationships. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2021, 18: 12088. PMID: 34831855, PMCID: PMC8621381, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212088.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEffects 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 designA latent profile analysis of psychological sense of community and ethnic identity among racial–ethnic minority young adults from the southwestern United States
Lardier D, Opara I, Roach E. A latent profile analysis of psychological sense of community and ethnic identity among racial–ethnic minority young adults from the southwestern United States. Journal Of Community Psychology 2021, 50: 857-875. PMID: 34402065, PMCID: PMC8831427, DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22686.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLatent profile analysisIntrapersonal psychological empowermentPsychological sensePsychological empowermentEthnic identityYoung adultsDepression symptomsEthnic group identityMinority young adultsProfile analysisGroup differencesGroup identityEmpirical supportIdentity constructsCommunity belongingnessProfile groupsReported levelsSense of communityHuman developmentCurrent studySample participantsCivic engagementAdultsAdditional researchEngagementA Spatial Analysis of Alcohol Outlet Density Type, Abandoned Properties, and Police Calls on Aggravated Assault Rates in a Northeastern U.S. City
Lardier D, Opara I, Lin Y, Roach E, Herrera A, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. A Spatial Analysis of Alcohol Outlet Density Type, Abandoned Properties, and Police Calls on Aggravated Assault Rates in a Northeastern U.S. City. Substance Use & Misuse 2021, 56: 1527-1535. PMID: 34210249, PMCID: PMC8324007, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.1942053.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAggravated assault ratesAlcohol outlet densityPolice callsAssault ratesOutlet densityCommunity-based researchGreater police presenceNortheastern U.S. cityPolice presenceViolent crimeCommunity violenceUrban neighborhoodsGeographic information system (GIS) mappingU.S. citiesVacant propertiesUrban communitiesPublic health researchAlcohol outletsAbandoned PropertyCrimeViolenceSpatial analysis techniquesNegative binomial regression analysisUrban citiesHealth researchEthnic 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 colorAssociations between Parent–Child Communication on Sexual Health and Drug Use and Use of Drugs during Sex among Urban Black Youth
Boyd D, Opara I, Quinn C, Waller B, Ramos S, Duncan D. Associations between Parent–Child Communication on Sexual Health and Drug Use and Use of Drugs during Sex among Urban Black Youth. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2021, 18: 5170. PMID: 34068128, PMCID: PMC8152761, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105170.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe 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 discussion
2020
Parenting profiles of academic and racial socialization: Associations with academic engagement and academic self-beliefs of African American adolescents
Metzger I, Cooper S, Griffin C, Golden A, Opara I, Ritchwood T. Parenting profiles of academic and racial socialization: Associations with academic engagement and academic self-beliefs of African American adolescents. Journal Of School Psychology 2020, 82: 36-48. PMID: 32988462, PMCID: PMC8219402, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsp.2020.07.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdolescents' academic outcomesAcademic outcomesSocialization practicesRacial socializationAcademic engagementParental socialization practicesLatent profile analysisAfrican American adolescentsParenting profilesProfile membershipSchool psychologistsAdolescent participantsAfrican American caregiversAmerican adolescentsSocializersAmerican caregiversAcademic socializationSocializationAdolescentsProfile analysisCurrent investigationEngagementSchool systemPsychologistsEthnic minoritiesIntrapersonal 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 levelsSupportNativity and Cardiovascular Dysregulation: Evidence from the 2001–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Doamekpor L, Gleason J, Opara I, Amutah-Onukagha N. Nativity and Cardiovascular Dysregulation: Evidence from the 2001–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Journal Of Racial And Ethnic Health Disparities 2020, 8: 136-146. PMID: 32410072, PMCID: PMC8324316, DOI: 10.1007/s40615-020-00765-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNutrition Examination SurveyCardiovascular biomarkersCardiovascular dysregulationBlood pressureExamination SurveyNational HealthHigher mean diastolic blood pressureHigher mean systolic blood pressureMean diastolic blood pressureMean systolic blood pressureMultivariable-adjusted logistic regressionHealth advantagesDiastolic blood pressureSystolic blood pressureBiomarker risk scoreHealthy immigrant effectNativity-based differencesForeign-born blacksRisk scoreHealth behaviorsBlack adultsLogistic regressionSocioeconomic statusBiomarkersImmigrant effect
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 approachA 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