Ijeoma Opara, PhD, LMSW, MPH
Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)Cards
About
Research
Publications
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 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, 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 efforts
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
Links & Media
News
- August 08, 2024Source: WTNH
Challenges Black teens face on social media
- August 07, 2024
Community forum focuses on reducing youth substance use
- July 25, 2024Source: TapInto
East Orange SWEP Students Participate in Yale University's Community Forum on Youth Substance Abuse
- July 08, 2024
Aspen Ideas Festival transformative experience for YSPH professor