2021
Alcohol Use Cravings as a Mediator Between Associated Risk Factors on Increased Alcohol Use among Youth Adults in New York During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Opara I, Malik S, Lardier D, Gamble-George J, Kelly R, Okafor C, Greene R, Parisi D. Alcohol Use Cravings as a Mediator Between Associated Risk Factors on Increased Alcohol Use among Youth Adults in New York During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 2021, 39: 415-429. PMID: 34898835, PMCID: PMC8664084, DOI: 10.1080/07347324.2021.1950091.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCOVID-19 diagnosisAlcohol useCOVID-19 pandemicAssociated risk factorsYears of ageMental health symptomsYoung adult populationPublic health professionalsAlcohol use preventionResidents 18Mean ageRisk factorsSleep disturbancesHealth professionalsTreatment resourcesHealth symptomsAdult populationUse preventionSpecific psychological factorsCOVID-19 eraSocial isolationCravingMediatorsDiagnosisTotal sampleMental health burden among Black adolescents: the need for better assessment, diagnosis and treatment engagement
Opara I, Weissinger G, Lardier D, Lanier Y, Carter S, Brawner B. Mental health burden among Black adolescents: the need for better assessment, diagnosis and treatment engagement. Social Work In Mental Health 2021, 19: 88-104. PMID: 34248423, PMCID: PMC8262091, DOI: 10.1080/15332985.2021.1879345.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMental health symptomsMental health treatmentHealth symptomsHealth treatmentMental health burdenTrauma exposure historyBlack adolescentsHealth burdenDepressive symptomsTreatment groupsDiagnostic criteriaTreatment engagementLogistic regressionSymptomsAnxiety disordersSubstance useExposure historyAdolescentsTreatmentRecent suicidalityPsychological factorsBetter assessmentGroupDiagnosisSuicidality
2020
Comment on Project THANKS: Examining HIV/AIDS-Related Barriers and Facilitators to Care in African American Women: A Community Perspective
Amutah-Onukagha N, Mahadevan M, Opara I, Rodriguez M, Baxter A, Trusdell M, Kelly J. Comment on Project THANKS: Examining HIV/AIDS-Related Barriers and Facilitators to Care in African American Women: A Community Perspective. Journal Of The International Association Of Providers Of AIDS Care (JIAPAC) 2020, 19: 2325958220936406. PMCID: PMC7436835, DOI: 10.1177/2325958220936406.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAfrican American womenAmerican womenCommunity-based health centersHealth literacy needsMultiple chronic diseasesSubstance use disordersMental health outcomesChronic diseasesChronic illnessHealth centersUse disordersDual diagnosisHealth outcomesHIVMental healthFuture interventionsComorbiditiesWomenSocial supportInterventionLicensed social workersComplicationsIllnessDiseaseDiagnosis
2017
The Effects of School-Based Discrimination on Adolescents of Color Sexual Health Outcomes: A Social Determinants Approach
Respress B, Amutah-Onukagha N, Opara I. The Effects of School-Based Discrimination on Adolescents of Color Sexual Health Outcomes: A Social Determinants Approach. Social Work In Public Health 2017, 33: 1-16. PMID: 29199912, DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2017.1378953.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual risk behaviorsSexual health outcomesHealth outcomesRisk behaviorsFuture prevention workSocial determinants approachSexual risky behaviorAdolescent sexual risk behaviorInfection diagnosisSignificant predictorsSexual behaviorAfrican AmericansAdolescentsRisky behaviorsRepresentative sampleOutcomesPrevention workAdolescents of colorSchool performanceClear disparityHigh school-aged studentsEffects of schoolDisparitiesFindingsDiagnosis