2023
Adolescent Polysubstance Use and Co-Occurring Weapon Carrying, Bullying Victimization, and Depressive Symptomology: Patterns and Differences in the United States
Weerakoon S, Henson-Garcia M, Abraham A, Vidot D, Messiah S, Opara I. Adolescent Polysubstance Use and Co-Occurring Weapon Carrying, Bullying Victimization, and Depressive Symptomology: Patterns and Differences in the United States. Child Psychiatry & Human Development 2023, 1-12. PMID: 37477824, PMCID: PMC11229529, DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01573-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBullying victimizationPolysubstance useUnited StatesPrevalence of polysubstance useWeapon-carryingMultiracial youthVictimsBullyingYouthWeaponsPolysubstance combinationsAdolescent substanceFrequent useRisky behaviorsNational prevalenceNon-Hispanic whitesMental healthLogistic regressionHigh school studentsPoor mental healthPolysubstanceViolenceDepressive symptomsDemographic characteristicsOdds
2021
Mental 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
Nativity 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