Parent-Centered Prevention of Risky Behaviors Among Hispanic Youths in Florida

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based, parent-centered intervention, Familias Unidas, delivered by nonresearch personnel, in preventing substance use (alcohol, illicit drugs) and sex without a condom among Hispanic adolescents.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial (n = 746) evaluated the effectiveness of Familias Unidas among Hispanic eighth graders (age range = 12-16 years), relative to prevention as usual, within a public school system. School personnel, including social workers and mental health counselors, were trained to deliver the evidence-based intervention. Participant recruitment, intervention delivery, and follow-up ran from September 2010 through June 2014 in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Results: Familias Unidas was effective in preventing drug use from increasing and prevented greater increases in sex without a condom 30 months after baseline, relative to prevention as usual. Familias Unidas also had a positive impact on family functioning and parental monitoring of peers at 6 months after baseline.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of a parent-centered preventive intervention program in preventing risky behaviors among Hispanic youths. Findings highlight the feasibility of training nonresearch personnel on effectively delivering a manualized intervention in a real-world setting.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01038206.

Figures

FIGURE 1—

CONSORT Flow Diagram of Trial Comparing Evidence-Based, Parent-Centered Intervention, Familias Unidas, Relative to Prevention as Usual in Preventing Substance Use and Sex Without a Condom Among Hispanic Eighth Graders, Miami–Dade County, Florida, September 2010 to June 2014 Note. The reasons for lost to follow-up or discontinued study were (1) work issues, (2) time issues, (3) moved out of Miami, (4) declined to continue in the study, (5) health issues, (6) adolescent dropped out of school, (7) did not want to do assessment, (8) unable to reach the family, (9) out of country, and (10) did not like the study.