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Familias Unidas is an evidence-based substance use and sexual risk prevention program, designed originally for Hispanic families in the US. However, it is unknown whether Familias Unidas also can be efficacious for Hispanic populations outside the US. Research is being conducted currently with families in Chile to determine whether the program can have the same effects it has had with US Hispanic populations. To do so, the first step was to adapt the program to the Chilean culture. This was done through 2 pilot studies, which took place between August 2015 and July 2016. Focus groups and interviews were conducted in each pilot to study to obtain participant feedback regarding the intervention. This study reports the results of this process and the utility of this methodology to adapt an EBI to a different local community.
Methods
We conducted 18 focus groups and 10 individual interviews, with a total of 103 family members that received the Familias Unidas intervention. The focus groups and interviews were conducted after completion of the last intervention session. All of the focus groups and interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data analyses were conducted, separately by pilot study, using an inductive approach with pairs of coders. A codebook was created utilizing an iterative process until agreement on codes was reached. Coders then independently coded all transcripts. From those codes, analyses were conducted according to the derived categories and sub-categories. Analyses were also conducted by stratifying participants into those with high session attendance rates and low attendance rates.
Results
Results indicated that 6 themes emerged from Pilot 1 data and 5 themes emerged from Pilot 2 data. Three themes were common across both pilots: general research and intervention process, facilitator feedback, and observed changes in participants. Additionally, findings indicated that families with high session attendance showed better problem recognition and the need for better relationships with their youth, compared to families with low attendance. Families with higher attendance also identified positive changes in communication, parental attitudes, and adolescent behaviors within the family and school. Families with lower assistance reported positive changes only in communication.
Conclusion
This qualitative study demonstrates needed adaptations to recruitment strategies, intervention manuals, and measurement tools. The results of this study underscore the appropirateness of this program for these particular families, and the utility of a qualitative approach for identifying adaptations of an US-based intervention delivered in a Latin American country.