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 effortsHIV 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. 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
2021
Countering Educational Disparities Among Black Boys and Black Adolescent Boys from Pre-K to High School: A Life Course-Intersectional Perspective
Wint K, Opara I, Gordon R, Brooms D. Countering Educational Disparities Among Black Boys and Black Adolescent Boys from Pre-K to High School: A Life Course-Intersectional Perspective. The Urban Review 2021, 54: 183-206. PMID: 34565917, PMCID: PMC8450170, DOI: 10.1007/s11256-021-00616-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlack boysEducational opportunity gapsHigh school yearsBlack adolescent boysEducational successAcademic successDiscipline disparitiesOpportunity gapsSchool yearHigh schoolEducational disparitiesCollective understandingLife courseIntersectionality theoryBoysCourseAdolescent boysProtective factorsEducatorsSchoolsPreschoolAchievementPerspectiveLater yearsSuccessEthnic 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 color
2020
Ethnic 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 strengthsThe 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 Conceptual Framework Exploring Social Media, Eating Disorders, and Body Dissatisfaction Among Latina Adolescents
Opara I, Santos N. A Conceptual Framework Exploring Social Media, Eating Disorders, and Body Dissatisfaction Among Latina Adolescents. Hispanic Journal Of Behavioral Sciences 2019, 41: 363-377. PMID: 31452577, PMCID: PMC6709692, DOI: 10.1177/0739986319860844.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLatina adolescentsEthnic identityBody imageSocial media usageSocial media influenceMedia usageSocial mediaMedia influenceObjectification theoryBody dissatisfactionMental health disparitiesIntersectionality theoryEating DisordersConceptual frameworkProtective factorsAdolescentsIdentityDisorder predictorsDissatisfactionSpecific approachHealth disparitiesMediumTheoryDisordersImages“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