Session: The Influence of Implementation Processes in Engaging Latino Families in Evidence-Based Interventions (Society for Prevention Research 26th Annual Meeting)

Family-centered evidence-based interventions (EBIs) preempt the onset and escalation of child problem behaviors (Sandler et al., 2011). When translated to community practice, however, effect sizes of EBIs are attenuated due to declines in implementation (Kilbourne et al., 2007). There is a growing body of research examining how implementation processes affect program outcomes, but much of this research has been conducted with Caucasian families. Considerable evidence supports the effectiveness of family-centered EBIs for ethnic minority groups (e.g., Gonzales et al. 2012; Pantin et al. 2003); but there is much less research examining how implementation influences the effectiveness of these programs for ethnic minority families.

The papers in this symposium address this gap. Two of the papers examine Latino families’ engagement in a group, family-centered EBI with both adolescent and parent components. One study focuses on adolescents and applies developmental theory and innovative methodologies to understand how within group differences on academic motivation, psychological wellbeing, and social capacity affect an attitudinal component of engagement, program satisfaction, anticipating that satisfaction is higher when there is less deviation from the norm. The second study focuses on parents and tests the hypothesis that child, parent, and family variables interact with facilitator and intervention group variables to affect a behavioral component of engagement, attendance. This hypothesis is central to conceptual frameworks of engagement but has not been tested, and research that contributed to the development of these frameworks has been conducted mostly with Caucasian families. The third paper focuses on implementation assessment of group-delivered parenting programs designed to meet the needs of Latino families, exploring whether macro-level, principle-based fidelity assessments are more suitable for these programs, in comparison to manual-specific, micro-level assessments of fidelity. Principle-based assessments allow for flexibility in program delivery and allocation of time to build cohesion between group members, which is in cultural attunement with the preferences of Latino parents (Falicov, 2009).

A discussant will summarize key themes across the papers and discuss their individual and collective contributions in advancing our understanding about the influence of implementation processes on outcomes among ethnic minority families participating in EBIs. The dissemination of family-centered EBIs have the potential to reduce disparities in child outcomes that disproportionately affect economically disadvantaged, ethnic minority families. However, to reach and engage these families, implementation must be responsive to their needs and preferences.