Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptation in Family-Based Prevention Interventions

Kumpfer, Karol L.; Alvarado, Rose; Smith, Paula; Bellamy, Nikki

doi:10.1023/a:1019902902119

Cited by 688Racial and Ethnic Identity ResearchCultural Competency in Health CareChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptation in Family-Based Prevention Interventions

Kumpfer, Karol L., Alvarado, Rose, Smith, Paula, Bellamy, Nikki·2002·Prevention Science

DOI 10.1023/a:1019902902119

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Abstract

Because of the substantial impact of families on the developmental trajectories of children, family interventions should be a critical ingredient in comprehensive prevention programs. Very few family interventions have been adapted to be culturally sensitive for different ethnic groups. This paper examines the research literature on whether culturally adapting family interventions improves retention and outcome effectiveness. Because of limited research on the topic, the prevention research field is divided on the issue. Factors to consider for cultural adaptations of family-focused prevention are presented. Five research studies testing the effectiveness of the generic version of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) compared to culturally-adapted versions for African Americans, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian families suggest that cultural adaptations made by practitioners that reduce dosage or eliminate critical core content can increase retention by up to 40%, but reduce positive outcomes. Recommendations include the need for additional research on culturally-sensitive family interventions.

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Other studies suggest that certain types of adaptation decrease the benefits associated with the intervention.
“Some research suggests that adaptation is likely necessary to promote sustainability (7, 8, 23), although other studies suggest that certain types of adaptation decrease the benefits associated with the intervention (68, 128).”
From The Sustainability of Evidence-Based Interventions and Practices in Public Health and Health Care (2018) · cites this paper as [68]

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Authors: Kumpfer, K. L., Alvarado, R., Smith, P., & Bellamy, N.
Affiliations: University of Utah (US)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US)
Corresponding author: Kumpfer, Karol L.
ORCID: Kumpfer, Karol L.
Smith, Paula
Venue: Prevention Science
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2002-09
Volume: 3
Issue: 3
Pages: 241-246
ISSN: 1389-4986 (ISSN-L)
1573-6695
DOI: 10.1023/a:1019902902119
OpenAlex: W1698168944
Cited by: 688
References: 29
Citations by year: 2026: 16 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 75 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 36 · 2014: 50 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 38
FWCI: 36.31
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springernature.com/gp/researchers/text-and-data-mining (tdm)
www.springernature.com/gp/researchers/text-and-data-mining (vor)
Locations: Prevention Science (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health (5r01da010825-05)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01 DA10825)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Cultural Competency in Health Care
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords: cultural adaptation, Strengthening Families Program, cultural sensitivity, intervention retention, intervention effectiveness, ethnic minority families, African American families, Latino families, Native American families, dose reduction
MeSH terms: Culture, Ethnicity, Family Therapy, Humans, Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care, Parents, Substance-Related Disorders

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Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptation in Family-Based Prevention Interventions

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