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
2022
School Absenteeism and Neighborhood Deprivation and Threat: Utilizing the Child Opportunity Index to Assess for Neighborhood-Level Disparities in Passaic County, NJ
Opara I, Thorpe D, Lardier D. School Absenteeism and Neighborhood Deprivation and Threat: Utilizing the Child Opportunity Index to Assess for Neighborhood-Level Disparities in Passaic County, NJ. Urban Education 2022, 59: 2738-2766. DOI: 10.1177/00420859221125704.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchResource deprivationViolent crimeNeighborhood violent crimeCommunities of colorChild Opportunity IndexNeighborhood-level disparitiesNeighborhood contextOpportunity IndexPassaic CountyCrimeNeighbourhood deprivationChronic absenteeismAcademic school yearHigh schoolSchoolsThreatCountyPrevention programsDisparitiesGeographic disparitiesNew JerseyDeprivationGreater levelsCommunityNew Jersey Department
2021
Ethnic 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
2018
Missed opportunities for HIV prevention: Results of a qualitative study on mother-daughter communication
Amutah-Onukagha N, Opara I, Hammonds R, Guthrie B. Missed opportunities for HIV prevention: Results of a qualitative study on mother-daughter communication. Journal Of HIV/AIDS & Social Services 2018, 17: 384-401. PMID: 31341425, PMCID: PMC6655433, DOI: 10.1080/15381501.2018.1502708.Peer-Reviewed Original Research