Replicating the Efficacy of the Strong African American Families: A Randomized Prevention Trial with a 3 Year Follow-up

Introduction. Replication is the cornerstone of the evidence-based prevention movement. Although many programs have demonstrated efficacy, replication is critical to dissemination, ensuring that program components are robust to changes in personnel as well as societal changes that might affect program effects. The Strong African American Families (SAAF) program is a 7 session family skills training intervention designed to enhance family relationships and deter alcohol use among African American youth. Prior research established the efficacy of SAAF in preventing alcohol use 24 months after the program concluded. Additional investigations documented the effectiveness of SAAF at posttest when the program was provided by cooperative extension offices in rural Georgia.

Methods. In the present study, we report on an efficacy trial in which 427 families from rural Georgia were randomized to receive the SAAF program or to a control condition. Four waves of data were collected capturing alcohol use changes from baseline to a 3- year follow up. Youth self-reported their alcohol use with computer assisted self-interviews to enhance privacy and reduce social desirability.

Results. Of the 232 families assigned to SAAF, 162 (69.8%) participated in 4 or more sessions, 45 (19.4%) did not participate in any sessions. Latent growth curve analysis revealed that among all youth, alcohol use increased from age 11-14. A conditional, intent-to-treat LGCM indicated that participation in SAAF versus the control condition was significantly associated with a reduction in growth in alcohol use during this time (B = -.267, p = .035). This effect occurred independently of the influence of gender and baseline levels of alcohol use.

Conclusion. The SAAF program has been shown to be efficacious in reducing alcohol use among rural African American youth in two prevention trials with effects lasting up to 3 years postbaseline. Replication of program effects supports the reliability of SAAF’s alcohol prevention effects and the potential impact of its widespread dissemination.