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-themesGirls
2023
Pilot-testing a Multiplayer HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Video Game Intervention for Black Adolescent Girls: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Weser V, Opara I, Budge M, Duncan L, Fernandes C, Hussett-Richardson S, Sands B, Hieftje K. Pilot-testing a Multiplayer HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Video Game Intervention for Black Adolescent Girls: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2023, 12: e43666. PMID: 36689272, PMCID: PMC9903186, DOI: 10.2196/43666.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlack adolescent girlsVideo game interventionAdolescent girlsGame interventionINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERGame-based interventionsPeer group structureControl condition participantsBehavioral skillsCondition participantsIntervention conditionFace interventionsHealthy decisionsWeb-based studyControl conditionSocial normsIndividual outcomesIntervention feasibilityCondom usePositive attitudesPrior researchSecondary outcomesSTI testingMultiplayer gamesSexual communication
2022
A 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
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 strengthsIntrapersonal 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 levelsSupport
2019
“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