Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Value of Cultural Adaptation Processes: Older Youth Participants as Substance Abuse Preventionists

  • Published:
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Drug Abuse) funded study employed focus groups to explore the value of: (a) engaging youth as experts in their own drug culture to engage them in open, honest discussion around substance use in their communities; and (b) allowing youth within a range of settings to systematically recreate unique workbook and video scenarios while maintaining the core components of an evidence-based substance abuse prevention program. Researchers collaborated with community based agencies that serve high risk youth, including youth who were incarcerated, homeless, in alternative high schools, in low-income housing programs, and on the US-Mexico border. The research indicates that high-risk youth in community settings can be actively engaged in adapting evidence-based prevention curricula. Youth emphasized their reasons for using drugs, as well as the salient consequences, and the value of tailored scenarios that incorporate their life experiences, language, drugs of choice, and relevant motivators. Serendipitous findings noted attitude changes related to dissonance between the adaptation component participants’ behaviors and their input as “Preventionists.” Findings have implications for developing prevention strategies that may be helpful for older, high-risk youth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ager, R. D., Parquet, R., & Kreutzinger, S. (2008). The youth video project: An innovative program for substance abuse prevention. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addiction, 8, 303–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backer, T. E. (2001). Finding the balance: Program fidelity and adaptation in substance abuse prevention: A state-of-the-art review. Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkin, S., Smith, K., & Durant, R. (2002). Social skills and attitudes associated with substance use behaviors among young adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 30(6), 448–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Botvin, G. J. (2004). Advancing prevention science and practice: Challenges, critical issues, and future directions. Journal of Prevention Science, 5(1), 69–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro, F. G., Barrera, M., & Martinez, C. R. (2004). The cultural adaptation of prevention interventions: Resolving tensions between fidelity and fit. Prevention Science, 5(1), 41–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.

  • Darkes, J., & Goldman, M. S. (1993). Expectancy challenge and drinking reduction: Experimental evidence for a mediational process. Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology, 61, 344–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eggert, L. L. (1996). Psychosocial approaches in prevention science: Facing the challenge with high-risk youth. Communicating Nursing Research, 29(4), 73–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eggert, L. L., Nicholas, L. J., & Owen, L. M. (1995). Reconnecting youth: A peer group approach to building life skills. Bloomington, IN: National Educational Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., & Devine, P. G. (1994). On the motivational nature of cognitive dissonance: Dissonance as psychological discomfort. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67, 382–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, J., Collins, K., & Pancella, T. (2004). The doubles: A case study on developing a technology-based substance abuse education curriculum. Evaluation Review, 28(6), 539–563.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrer-Wreder, L., Stattin, H., Lorente, C. C., Tubman, J., & Adamson, L. (2003). Prevention and youth development programs: Across borders. New York: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Oxford, England: Row, Peterson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin, C., & Ballan, M. (2001). Reliability and validity in qualitative research. In B. A. Thyer (Ed.), The handbook of social work research methods (pp. 273–292). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs, J., Potter, G., & Goldstein, A. P. (1995). The EQUIP program: Teaching youth to think and act responsibly through a peer-helping approach. Champaign, IL: Research Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosin, M., Marsiglia, F. F., & Hecht, M. L. (2003). Keepin’ it REAL: A drug resistance curriculum tailored to the strengths and needs of pre-adolescents of the Southwest. The Journal of Drug Education, 33(2), 119–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grunbaum, J. A., Kann, L., Kinchen, S. A., Ross, J. G., Gowda, V. R., Collins, J. L., et al. (2000). Youth risk behavior surveillance: National alternative high school youth risk behavior survey, United States, 1998. Journal of School Health, 70(1), 5–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grunbaum, J. A., Lowry, R., & Kann, L. (2001). Prevalence of health-related behaviors among alternative high school students as compared with students attending regular high schools. Journal of Adolescent Health, 29, 337–343.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, W., Miller, T., & Leukefeld, C. (1995). Prevention research recommendations: Scientific integration for the 90’s. Drugs & Society, 8(3/4), 161–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, J. D., Catalano, R. F., & Miller, J. Y. (1992). Risk and protective factors for alcohol and other drug problems in adolescence and early adulthood: Implications for substance abuse prevention. Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 64–105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hecht, M. L., Marsiglia, F. F., Elek, E., Wagstaff, D. A., Kulis, S., & Dustman, P. (2003). Culturally-grounded substance use prevention: An evaluation of the keepin’ it REAL curriculum. Prevention Science, 4(4), 233–248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holleran, L., Dustman, P., Reeves, L., & Marsiglia, F. F. (2002). Creating culturally grounded videos for substance abuse prevention: A dual perspective on process. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 2(1), 55–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holleran, L., & Hopson, L. (2006). Adaptation and evaluation of evidence-based substance abuse prevention for high risk adolescents in community settings. Presentation Conducted at the Meeting of the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center Conference, Phoenix, Arizona.

  • Holleran, L. K., Hopson, L. M., & Gerlach, B. (2005). Handbook and video adaptation procedures. Unpublished, Holleran K01 DA017276-01, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

  • Holleran Steiker, L. K. (2008). Making drug and alcohol prevention relevant: Adapting evidence-based curricula for unique adolescent cultures. Family and Community Health, 31(1S), S52–S60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hopson, L. M., & Holleran Steiker, L. K. (2008). Methodology for evaluating an adaptation of evidence-based drug abuse prevention in alternative schools. Children in Schools., 31(1S), 52–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. (2005). Monitoring the future national results on adolescent drug use: Overview of key findings. Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH Publication No. 05-5726).

  • Kraemer, J., Feinn, R., Vanderploeg, J., Chinman, M., Shepard, J., Brabham, T., et al. (2007). Impact of a positive youth development program in urban after-school settings on the prevention of adolescent substance use. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, 239–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kreuter, M., Strecher, V., & Glassman, B. (1999). One size does not fit all: The case for tailoring print materials. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 21(4), 276–283.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kulis, S., & Marsiglia, F. F. (2004, August). Keepin’ It REAL with adolescents of Mexican descent: Developing and testing evidenced-based, substance use prevention. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, San Francisco, CA.

  • Kumpfer, K. L., Molgaard, V., & Spoth, R. (1996). The strengthening families program for prevention of delinquency and drug use in special populations. In R. Peters & R. J. McMahon (Eds.), Childhood disorders, substance abuse, and delinquency: Prevention and early intervention approaches. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kutash, K., Duchnowski, A. J., & Lynn, N. (2006). Chapter 2: Prevention definitions in school-based mental health: An empirical guide for decision-maker. Tampa, FL: The Research & Training Center for Children’s Mental Health, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lofland, J., & Lofland, L. (1995). Analyzing social settings: A guide to qualitative observation and analysis. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsiglia, F. F., & Hecht, M. L. (2005). Keepin’it REAL: An evidence-based program. Santa Cruz, CA: ETR Associates (Teacher manual, video, and student work books in English and Spanish).

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S., Hecht, M. L., & Sills, S. (2004). Ethnicity and ethnic identity as predictors of drug norms and drug use among pre-adolescents in the Southwest. Substance Use and Misuse, 39(7), 1061–1094.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nel, E., Helmreich, R., & Aronson, E. (1969). Opinion change in the advocate as a function of the persuasibility of his audience: A clarification of the meaning of dissonance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 12(2), 117–124.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nobles, W., & Goddard, L. (1992). An African-centered model of prevention for African-American youth at high risk. In L. Goddard (Ed.), African-American youth at high risk work group: An African-centered model of prevention for African-American youth at high risk. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Series Public Health Service Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nygaard, P., Waiters, E. D., Grube, J. W., & Keefe, D. (2003). Why do they do it? A qualitative study of adolescent drinking and driving. Substance Use and Misuse, 38(7), 835–863.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palinkas, L. A., Atkins, C. J., Miller, C., & Ferreira, D. (1996). Social skills training for drug prevention in high-risk female adolescents. Preventive Medicine, 25, 692–701.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pollock, N., & Martin, S. (1999). Diagnostic orphans: Adolescents with alcohol symptoms who do not qualify for DSM-IV abuse or dependence diagnoses. American Journal of Psychiatry, 156, 897–901.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J., & DiClemente, C. (1984). The transtheoretical approach: Crossing traditional boundaries of therapy. Homewood, IL: Dow Jones-Irwin.

  • Prochaska, J., & DiClemente, C. (2005). The transtheoretical approach. In J. C. Norcross & M. Goldfried (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy integration (2nd ed., pp. 147–171). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J., & Velicer, W. (1997). The transtheoretical model of health behavior change. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12(1), 38–48.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ringwalt, C. L., Ennett, S., Johnson, R., Rohrbach, L. A., Simons-Rudolph, A., Vincus, A., et al. (2003). Factors associated with fidelity to substance use prevention curriculum guides in the nation’s middle schools. Health Education & Behavior, 30(3), 375–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, V. N., Webb, M. S., & Brandon, T. H. (2004). College-student smoking: An initial test of an experiential dissonance-enhancing intervention. Addictive Behaviors, 29(6), 1129–1136.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, S. H., Conrod, P. J., Marlatt, G. A., Comeau, M. N., Thrush, C., & Krank, M. (2005). New developments in prevention and early intervention for alcohol abuse in youth. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 29, 278–286.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stice, E., Shaw, H., Becker, C., & Rohde, P. (2008). Dissonance-based interventions for the prevention of eating disorders: Using persuasion principles to promote health. Prevention Science, 9, 114–128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A. L. (1987). Qualitative analysis for social scientists. Melbourne, Australia: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sussman, S. (1996). Development of a school-based drug abuse prevention curriculum for high-risk youths. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 28(2), 169–182.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sussman, S., Simon, T. R., Dent, C. W., Stacy, A. W., Galaif, E. R., Moss, M. A., et al. (1997). Immediate impact of thirty-two drug abuse prevention activities among students at continuation high schools. Substance Use and Misuse, 32(3), 265–281.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Szapocznik, J., & Williams, R. A. (2000). Brief strategic family therapy: Twenty five years of interplay among theory, research, and practice in adolescent behavior problems and drug abuse. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 3(2), 117–135.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Unger, J. B., Ritt-Olson, A., Soto, D., & Baezconde-Garbanati, L. (2007). Parent-child acculturation discrepancies as a risk factor for substance use among Hispanic adolescents in southern California. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 11(3), 149–157.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warren, J. R., Hecht, M. L., Wagstaff, D. A., Elek, E., Ndiaye, K., Dustman, P., et al. (2006). Communicating prevention: The effects of the keepin’ it REAL classroom videotapes and televised PSAs on middle-school students’ substance use. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 34(2), 209–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, H. R. (1992). Early problem behavior and later drug problems. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 29(4), 412–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaguchi, R. L., Johnston, D., & O’Malley, P. M. (2003). Relationship between student illicit drug use and school drug-testing policies. Journal of School Health, 73, 159–167.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, 1925 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Lori K. Holleran Steiker, Jeremy Goldbach & Tara Powell

  2. University at Albany School of Social Welfare, 135 Western Avenue, Richardson Hall, Room 208, Albany, NY, 12222, USA

    Laura M. Hopson

Authors
  1. Lori K. Holleran Steiker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jeremy Goldbach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Laura M. Hopson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tara Powell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lori K. Holleran Steiker.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Holleran Steiker, L.K., Goldbach, J., Hopson, L.M. et al. The Value of Cultural Adaptation Processes: Older Youth Participants as Substance Abuse Preventionists. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 28, 495–509 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-011-0246-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-011-0246-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation