2021
Testing the factor structure of the brief sense of community scale among black girls and the relationship with ethnic identity, empowerment and social support
Opara I, Lardier D, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Testing the factor structure of the brief sense of community scale among black girls and the relationship with ethnic identity, empowerment and social support. Children And Youth Services Review 2021, 127: 106095. PMID: 34305217, PMCID: PMC8294162, DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntrapersonal psychological empowermentPsychological empowermentConfirmatory factor analysisPsychological SOCSocial supportBrief SenseEthnic identityFactor structureSecond-order factor structureBlack girlsFive-factor modelPsychological senseFactor analysisRelated variablesGirlsSupportEmpowermentSenseIdentityBSCSRegression-based approachCommunity scaleScaleMeasuresFindingsCoping in the Time of COVID-19: Buffering Stressors With Coping Strategies
Okafor C, Bautista K, Asare M, Opara I. Coping in the Time of COVID-19: Buffering Stressors With Coping Strategies. Journal Of Loss And Trauma 2021, 27: 83-91. PMID: 35173557, PMCID: PMC8845574, DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2021.1914987.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMental health tollSymptoms of depressionBehavioral disengagementCoping strategiesEmotional reasonsSocial supportSubstance useHealth tollAnxietyPolicy-making effortsDepressionOdds of feelingGeneral populationDisengagementFeelingsStressorsParticipantsAdultsCross-sectional studyInterventionCOVID-19FindingsSupportSymptoms
2020
Measuring Intrapersonal Psychological Empowerment and Ethnic Identity: Highlighting Strengths of Urban Black Girls
Opara I, Lardier D, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Measuring Intrapersonal Psychological Empowerment and Ethnic Identity: Highlighting Strengths of Urban Black Girls. Youth & Society 2020, 54: 573-592. PMID: 35813075, PMCID: PMC9269979, DOI: 10.1177/0044118x20970226.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntrapersonal psychological empowermentPsychological empowermentStructural equation modelingEthnic identityFactor structureBlack girlsSociopolitical Control ScaleTwo-dimensional factor structureUrban Black girlsPreliminary supportFactorial validityControl ScaleEquation modelingHighlighting strengthsEmpowerment literatureLimited researchGirlsIdentityEmpowermentTheoretical relationshipYouthSPCSValidityFindingsSupport
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